Survey Shows Support for High Speed Rail

Nearly two-thirds of American adults said they would definitely or probably use high-speed rain service and the GOP is demanding a stop to stimulus spending. Read more on these stories in this Infrastructure in the News.

National News

Business Times: Survey shows public support for high-speed rail 
Nearly two-thirds of American adults (62 percent) said they would definitely or probably use high-speed rail service for leisure or business travel if it were an option, according to a survey from the Washington-based American Public Transportation Association (APTA).

Streetsblog Capitol Hill: GOP Demands a Stop to Stim Spending. What Will It Mean for Rail Projects?
The incoming Republican head of the Appropriations Committee wants to take back stimulus funds promised to states and localities for much-needed infrastructure programs, including more than $6 billion in transportation funding. High-speed rail projects would take an especially big hit under the plan.

The Transport Politics: Growing Conservative Strength Puts Transit Improvements in Doubt 
1987, 1991, 1995, 1998, and 2005 share a significant feature: In each of those years, members of Congress were able to come together to pass a multi-year bill that codified how the U.S. government was to collect revenues for and allocate expenditures on transportation. Not coincidentally, in each of those years, one political party controlled both the House and Senate.

Streetsblog: Linking Transportation, Food Access and Health 
Is it easier to get to a fast food joint in your neighborhood than a grocery store? In America, the way we answer that question likely says a lot about our income and race. It also has a direct effect on our health.

State News

NY Patch: No Money to Bridge Funding Gap for Tappan Zee Replacement
Replacement of the Tappan Zee Bridge should be a top priority for the state, but the volatile economy has left New York unable to afford the massive project, according to a new report.

Star Ledger: More than 200 N.J. bridges are structurally deficient, report finds 
More than 200 major bridges across New Jersey are structurally deficient and in need of millions in repairs, a new analysis by the Tri-State Transportation Campaign found.

Jacksonville Daily Record: Regional transportation group begins two-year journey
The legislatively created Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Study Commission embarked Wednesday on its two-year journey to explore the framework of a regional transportation authority for the seven-county region.