The proposal would fund over 150 projects aimed at improving passenger rail service and speeding up travel times.
The Northeast Corridor Commission has released a 15-year plan to upgrade and improve the Northeast rail corridor that "proposes to speed Acela travel times from New York City to Washington, D.C. by 26 minutes, to Boston by 28 minutes, and to New Haven, Conn. by 25 minutes" and, when complete, "increase daily Amtrak service by 33% and add 60 million new rail trips each year." As reported by Lillianna Byington and Hadriana Lowenkron, the proposal, developed by federal rail agencies, Amtrak, and state governments, "would support more than 150 projects along the corridor."
The Commission "has identified several pots of money that could be used for the plan, including funds for the Gateway Program between New York and New Jersey. Of the plan’s total cost, $100 billion is unfunded and the coalition proposes that the federal government jointly cover it with states." One possible funding source is the $66 billion allocated to passenger and freight rail in the bipartisan infrastructure framework recently agreed on by senators and the Biden administration.
"The plan would also address accessibility and upgrading facilities to meet Americans With Disabilities Act requirements, Kevin Corbett, President and CEO of NJ Transit and an NEC Commission co-chair said."
FULL STORY: NYC Region Rail Boosters Urge Faster Trains, Plead for Funds
Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor Awarded $16.4 Billion in Federal Funds
The funding will support track construction, bridge replacement, and other upgrades to make passenger train service faster and more reliable.
Revised Amtrak Mandate Could Allow for 'Paradigm-Shifting' Changes
Language in the new infrastructure bill calls for the agency to prioritize ridership and service levels over profitability.
Changes for Amtrak in the New Infrastructure Bill
While the agency is receiving less funding than advocates say is needed, it will also have a new mandate that prioritizes public service over profitability.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility
Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.
Fair Housing Cannot Take a Back Seat to ‘Build, Baby, Build’
If we overlook fair housing principles in the plan to build US housing back better, we risk ending up right back where we started.
LA Metro Board Approves New 710 Freeway Plan
The newest plan for the 710 corridor claims it will not displace any residents.
Austin’s Proposed EV Charging Rules Regulate Station Locations, Size
City planners say the new rules would ensure an efficient distribution of charging infrastructure across the city and prevent an overconcentration in residential areas.
Making California State Parks More Climate-Resilient
A recently released report offers recommendations for keeping state parks healthy and robust, including acquiring additional land for conservation and recreation.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
