A Proposal to Establish a National High-Speed Rail Network in the United States

Abstract

High-speed rail is well positioned to offer a solution to shrinking transportation capacity and growing environmental threats in the United States. While many competing nations have taken steps to build their own robust high-speed rail networks over the past several decades, the United States has fallen behind and lacks any proven examples of true high-speed rail. Recent federal infrastructure investments, including those in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), have largely neglected high-speed rail, providing an opportunity for Congress and the Administration to back more targeted legislation to help incentivize investments in high-speed rail. This memorandum proposes that the U.S. Department of Transportation work with the White House and Congress to prioritize the passage of existing legislation, H.R.1845, which would provide $205 billion over five years to incentivize investments in high-speed rail corridors across the United States.