The Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) gave more than $6 billion to pay for high-speed rail projects this week. The money comes with huge support with the U.S., but others have concerns about its costs.
Brightline West, a new company owned by South Florida’s Brightline rail service, was given $3 billion for its planned rail line between Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Once it is built, riders will be able to cut nearly two hours of driving time between the two cities.
High-speed rail efers to passenger trains that travel at least 125 mph and can reach more than 220 mph.
The technology has been around since the 1960s, when Japan built a train line between Tokyo and Osaka. Since then, high-speed rail projects have sprung up around the world.
The U.S. has been slower to adopt the technology. It doesn’t currently operate any high-speed rail lines, although Amtrak’s Acela in the Northeast sometimes reaches speeds of 150 mph.
That’s despite a growing choir of experts and activists who support what they see as a technology with urgent benefits, as well as public support for high-speed rail.
Images: Brighline
