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| Re: Amtrak unveils long-term plan for high-speed rail (983963) | |||
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Re: Amtrak unveils long-term plan for high-speed rail |
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Posted by Brighton Private on Tue Sep 28 15:59:02 2010, in response to Re: Amtrak unveils long-term plan for high-speed rail, posted by TransitChuckG on Tue Sep 28 15:41:20 2010. 10 years to find the money and do the EIS.10 years to build it. My guess is it's not ENOUGH time. In 40 years, they haven't even been able to get the money (not Amtrak's fault, BTW) to do the signaling and power upgrades that would improve service on the existing NEC. These future fantasies are fun, but I wish they would focus their energy on what is reasonably doable in the next 10 years. Even this isn't cheap, but it's doable, doesn't require a new ROW, and would benefit not only intercity service but commuter service as well. The first two are essential, the rest very helpful but less so: 1. Upgrade to constant tension catenary. 2. Upgrade signaling to permit 150 mph operation to max extent possible. 3. Upgrade/replace Baltimore tunnels and approaches. 4. If possible, build fourth track between Washington and Baltimore to permit faster nonstop service with denser schedule of commuter trains between Baltimore and Washington. 5. Strengthen/replace bridge between Havre de Grace and Perryville to permit higher speed operation. 6. Bypass or realign Zoo interlocking. 7. Bypass or realign Elizabeth S-curve. 8. Finish ARC tunnel project to improve capacity of Penn Station and reduce related congestion, delays. 9. Work out whatever needs to be worked out with Metro North to permit higher speed operation between New Rochelle and New Haven, and install a flying junction at New Rochelle. It may not get you from New York to Boston in 84 minutes, but it would be a major improvement and it is all achievable. It will still cost billions, but a hell of a lot less. And in the meantime, how about running a few nonstops NY/DC and NY/BOS. They've done it a few times, they seemed really popular (were often sold out) and then stopped. I'm sure there was a reason, but I don't know what it was. |
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