"We're going to make travel in this country leaner and a whole lot cleaner," said Vice President Joe Biden, speaking before Obama(CNNPolitics.com).

High speed rail has been the answer to the transportation problems in other countries. President Obama has decided that it is part of the solution for our country. His plan provides for these high-speed railroads to be networked across the country eventually, but will start in the pacific-northwest, California, the South-east and North-East. Eight Billion dollars have already been set aside from the 787 Billion stimulus plan and more to come next year. There are already some doubts about this plan that have some valid points.

Area's Affected

For potential high‐speed rail projects

• California Corridor (Bay Area, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Sandiego)
• Pacific Northwest Corridor (Eugene, Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, Vancouver BC)
• South Central Corridor (Tulska, Oklahoma City, Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Little Rock)
• Gulf Coast Corridor (Houston, New Orleans, Mobile, Birmingham, Atlanta)
• Chicago Hub Network (Chicago, Milwaukee, Twin Cities, St. Louis, Kansas City, Detroit, Toledo, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Louisville)
• Florida Corridor (Orlando, Tampa, Miami)
• Southeast Corridor (Washington, Richmond, Raleigh, Charlotte, Atlanta, Macon, Columbia, Savannah, Jacksonville)
• Keystone Corridor (Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh)
• Empire Corridor (New York City, Albany, Buffalo)
• Northern New England Corridor (Boston, Montreal, Portland, Springfield, New Haven, Albany)
  

http://www.fra.dot.gov/Downloads/RRdev/hsrspfacts.pdf

This “Vision for High-Speed Rail in America”(Title of map used in Obama's speach) brings alternatives to travelers who are limited by car or airplane travel now.Obama mentioned that this is going to take time to complete but he also stressed the importance of beginning right now to make this become a reality. Funds for these projects are scheduled to become available this summer.

Cost

One of the most controversial points in this plan is the cost it will take to build these high-speed railways. Currently Eight Billion dollars in government grants are scheduled to be available this summer. Five Billion is included in 2010's fiscal year as well. USA Today pointed out a problem with the proposed funds. "As large as it sounds, $8 billion wouldn't begin to design and construct a true high-speed system in which rails are dedicated to high-speed trains. The California system alone would cost about $50 billion to complete."

Bibliography

Photo of President Obama (President Barack Obama makes remarks on expanding the high speed rail system, Thursday, April 16, 2009, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus in Washington. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i6vd11tQjgDt_UiV1emaKY_RciWgD97JQHM00
April 17, 2009 7:00 PM