Intercity Rail

Amtrak Connects US

Infrastructure and its Discontents

The significance of the Biden administration's expansive view of infrastructure is reflected in the flood of commentary published in the week since the public's first look at the American Jobs Plan.

April 8, 2021 - James Brasuell

Train Station Conceptual Renderings

New 'Capital Regional Rail Vision' Revealed

An idea to expand regional rail service around D.C. has new substance after the Greater Washington Partnership revealed the first details of a plan to convert the MARC and VRE commuter train systems into high-frequency, all-day regional service.

March 28, 2021 - The Washington Post

Texas Bullet Train

House Bill Would Provide $41 Billion for High-Speed Rail Grants

The "American High-Speed Rail Act" would provide $41 billion in grants and incentives for an additional $38 billion in funding for high-speed rail projects in the United States.

March 18, 2021 - Smart Cities Dive

West Palm Beach, Florida

Deadline for Brightline Plan Comes With Strings Attached

Officials from Brightline recently signed an agreement that dictates terms for the study of an extension of the private rail system between Orlando and Tampa.

March 10, 2021 - Orlando Sentinel

High-Speed Rail

California High-Speed Rail Project Seeking Change in Funding Plan

State lawmakers will have to approve a change in plans for how the California High-Speed Rail project will fund the ongoing work in the Central Valley.

February 12, 2021 - The Mercury News

Amtrak 2035

Amtrak's Proposed 'Corridor' Expansion, Explained

Even while dealing with the economic fallout of the pandemic, Amtrak is forging forward with plans to expand intercity rail passenger service around the country.

February 11, 2021 - Albany Times Union

Portland, Maine

Opinion: It's the Perfect Time for More Trains in Maine

A more concerted effort could bring together the state's recent plans and federal infrastructure investment to link the region and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

February 9, 2021 - Press Herald

Virginia

A Regional Vision for Virginia, Maryland, D.C. Rail

Expanding rail service to more communities in Maryland and D.C. could enhance the benefits of Virginia's recent investments in intercity rail.

February 9, 2021 - The Virginia Mercury

Maglev

Federal Review of High-Speed Maglev Train Between D.C. and Baltimore Nearing the Finish Line

The Federal Railroad Administration recently released a preliminary study of a proposed high-speed maglev train route between Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

February 7, 2021 - The Washington Post

Amtrak 2035

Amtrak Proposes Five New Routes in Ohio

The nation’s most populous state without an intercity passenger rail program could be the benefit of ambitions to expand the network of Amtrak service around the country.

February 4, 2021 - All Aboard Ohio

Interstate 10

Los Angeles-to-Coachella Train Service Taking Shape

New intercity rail service is being planned for the desert reaches between Los Angeles and the Palm Springs area.

January 28, 2021 - Progressive Railroading

Amtrak

Will Train Travel Be More Popular Post-COVID-19?

Train trips via Amtrak may get a boost due to COVID-related concerns about flying.

January 22, 2021 - USA Today

New York City From New Jersey

Funding Approved for Key Rail Connection Between New Jersey and New York

The Portal Bridge is a key component of the larger Gateway Program that includes tunnels under the Hudson River. Fixing the Portal Bridge across the Hackensack River will provide tremendous relief to NJ Transit and Amtrak commuters.

December 10, 2020 - New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy

San Francisco Tunnel Boring Machine

European Tunneling Technique Cuts 50 Weeks From Construction Schedule for Brightline Extension

An innovative tunneling technique, commonly used in Europe, is catching on here in the United States.

October 1, 2020 - Construction Dive

Space X

Tampa Area Spending $1 Million to Study the Hyperloop

Another regional transit authority isn't as skeptical about the Hyperloop as many critics in the transit and technology press.

September 29, 2020 - Naples Daily News

Raleigh, North Carolina

Richmond-to-Raleigh High-Speed Rail Gets Big Funding Win

Federal grant funding awarded recently takes a critical step toward making high-speed intercity rail service a reality between North Carolina and Virginia.

September 27, 2020 - The News & Observer

Arlington to D.C.

Key Virginia Rail Bridge Project Completes Environmental Review

A $1.9 billion project to add a second set of rail tracks to the Long Bridge that connects Virginia to D.C. is ready to move forward with a recently completed Environmental Impact Statement.

September 17, 2020 - The Virginia Mercury

Amtrak Train

Amtrak in Dire Financial Straits, Seeking More Federal Relief Funding

Amtrak officials say they need $4.9 billion in funding to prevent service and job losses.

September 15, 2020 - Reuters via St. Louis Post-Dispatch

San Francisco Rail Transit

Compromise Reached to Save Caltrain

The saga of the three-county sales tax upon which the future of Caltrain depends is now in the hands of voters.

August 24, 2020 - KTVU

Guangzhou

China's Big Recovery Bet: High-Speed Rail

In China, economic stimulus means high-speed rail spending—and lots of it.

August 19, 2020 - Global Construction Review

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.