Freight trains are already doing a lot to reduce our carbon emissions and high-speed rail will do a lot or re-energize the economy. Read more in his Infrastructure in the News.
NATIONAL NEWS
Wired: High-Speed Rail Takes a Shellacking
For advocates, high-speed rail represents environmentalism, infrastructural overhaul, denser cities and public transit for nothing short of saving the world and re-energizing the national economy. For detractors, it represents wasteful spending, baseless social engineering and the erosion of individual liberties and their opposition is preventing fascism and poverty. The hyperbole is almost that bad on both sides.
The Atlantic: Freight Trains: America's Unsung Environmental Hero
A reader reminds me of this Economist article, arguing that many of the planned high speed rail corridors risk endangering something that's already doing a hell of a lot to reduce our carbon emissions: our top-notch freight rail system.
Streetsblog: GOP Wants to Bring Transpo Policy Back to the 1950s
A top Republican transportation staffer gave some clues yesterday about the GOPÕs plan to drastically restructure national transportation policy and reverse many reforms of the past 20 years. In an off-the-record luncheon with the Road Gang, a sort of ÒfraternityÓ of Washington highway executives, Jim Tymon gave the view from his seat as Republican staff director of the House Highways and Transit Subcommittee. Streetsblog spoke to sources who attended the gathering.
STATE NEWS
Wall Street Journal: NY Infrastructure woes threaten Northeast
New York Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch warned Thursday that the entire Northeast is threatened by rapidly deteriorating New York City bridges and that the state has "no credible strategy" to pay for already announced mega-projects.
Post-Bulletin: Minnesota union urges Wis. governor to approve high-speed rail line
A Minnesota labor union is urging Wisconsin's Republican Gov.-elect Scott Walker to change his mind and allow a high-speed train to be built between Milwaukee and Madison.
Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel: Doyle administration signed more than $67 million in rail contracts
Outgoing Gov. Jim Doyle's administration signed more than $67 million in contracts for a planned high-speed rail line, with the largest one coming just a week before rail opponent Scott Walker was elected to replace the Democratic incumbent, state records show.
NECN: Conn. Gov. asks for $100 million more for high-speed rail project
Connecticut governor Jodi Rell is asking the federal government for an additional $100-million dollars for the state's high-speed rail project.