Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
rail_across_america.jpg

You've probably seen this already. It's the latest graphic representation of the nation's proposed high-speed rail corridors, and it's been all over the transportation blogosphere since President Obama stood beside it at a press conference yesterday.

Those corridors are likely to change somewhat as the administration refines its new strategy for high-speed rail, says Transport Politic blogger Yonah Freemark, who credits the administration for taking serious steps toward a national rail plan.

Perhaps the biggest positive from yesterday's presser is that Obama linked the idea of high-speed rail to local transit, center cities, and car-free transportation:

Imagine boarding a train in the center of a city. No racing to anairport and across a terminal, no delays, no sitting on the tarmac, nolost luggage, no taking off your shoes. (Laughter.) Imagine whiskingthrough towns at speeds over 100 miles an hour, walking only a fewsteps to public transportation, and ending up just blocks from yourdestination. Imagine what a great project that would be to rebuildAmerica.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Monday’s Headlines Slow Down

Cities have proven measures they can put into place to slow down speeding drivers and save lives.

February 16, 2026

The New Uber-Backed Car Insurance ‘Reform’ Push Is Actually A War On Crash Victims

New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to limit payouts to crash victims under the guise of "affordability" and bogus claims about "staged crashes."

February 13, 2026

Friday’s Headlines Are Full of Hot Air

They done done it, as we say in the South: The Trump administration's official policy now is that climate change poses no threat to human health.

February 13, 2026

Talking Headways Podcast: Concrete Doesn’t Spend Money, People Do

Dr. Lawrence Frank shows how the decisions we make about the built environment are a symbol of why the world is so f'd up. A very special edition of Talking Headways.

February 12, 2026

Why Does Trump Wants To Punish Cities For Free Buses?

Hint: it's probably not to make anyone's transportation network better!

February 12, 2026
See all posts