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Federally designated high-

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High-speed train

This chart shows the federally designated rail corridors
in the United States. It also includes information about
communities that would be served, projected costs
and the role of federal stimulus funding in supporting
the development of high-speed rail.

Corridor

When Federally Designated

Total Mileage

Major Cities Served

Planned Projects

Projected Costs

Projected Costs in 2009$ (adjusted for inflation)

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act High-Speed Rail Awards

California Corridor

1992; extended in 2009 to include Las Vegas.

Approx. 800, not including Los Angeles- Las Vegas.

San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Anaheim, San Diego, Las Vegas

Continued improvements to existing services and a new, “true” high-speed rail system that will reach speeds of 220 mph.

$35.7 billion (2009$) for the San Francisco-Anaheim initial system

$35.7 billion

$2.3 billion

Pacific Northwest Corridor

1992

466

Eugene, Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, Vancouver (British Columbia)

Incremental improvements to eventually support 110 mph service; increased frequency for Portland-Seattle-Vancouver service.

$6.5 to $6.7 billion (2006$)

$7.0 to $7.2 billion

$598 million

South Central Corridor

2000

994

Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Little Rock

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is currently conducting an analysis of its statewide rail network, to support a plan that includes high-speed rail corridors.

N/A

N/A

$4 million

Gulf Coast Corridor

1998; extended in 2000

1,025

Houston, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Mobile, Birmingham, Atlanta

Resumption of intercity passenger rail service; incremental improvements to eventually support 110 mph service; addition of Baton Rouge-New Orleans service.

$7.0 billion (1995$) for improvements in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi

$9.9 billion

N/A

Chicago Hub Network (originally the Midwest High-Speed Rail Corridor)

1992; extended in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001

Approx. 2,300 for federally designated segments; approx. 3,000 for larger plan.

Chicago, Milwaukee, Twin Cities, St. Louis, Kansas City, Detroit, Toledo, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Louisville

The federally designated routes are part of a larger plan advanced by the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative (MWRRI) to provide passenger rail service throughout the Midwest, including incremental improvements to eventually support 110 mph service in some segments.

$7.7 billion (2002$) for entire MWRRI plan

$9.3 billion

$2.6 billion

Florida Corridor

1992

Approx. 350

Orlando, Tampa, Miami

Construction of a dedicated, high-speed rail system that will exceed 120 mph. The Florida High Speed Rail Vision Plan proposes adding other routes after the development of the federally designated corridor.

$11.5 billion (2009$) for the initial Orlando-Tampa-Miami routes, not including right-of-way costs for Orlando-Miami

$11.5 billion

$1.3 billion

Southeast Corridor

1992; extended in 1995, 1998, 2000

Approx. 1,900

Washington, Richmond, Raleigh, Charlotte, Atlanta, Macon, Columbia, Savannah, Jacksonville

Incremental improvements to eventually support 110 mph service.

$1.8 million (2008$) for Charlotte-Atlanta-Macon; between $2.5 and $4.5 billion (2009$) for Washington, D.C.-Charlotte

$1.8 million plus $2.5 to $4.5 billion

$620 million

Keystone Corridor

1998; extended in 2000

Approx. 350

Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh

Incremental improvements to eventually support 125 mph service for Philadelphia-Harrisburg (Keystone East), which currently reaches top speeds of 110 mph. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) plans to study alternatives and “consider” high-speed rail for Harrisburg-Pittsburgh (Keystone West).

For Phase I, to improve service quality and efficiency in Keystone East: $418.2 million (2009$). For Phase II, to raise speeds on Keystone East to 125 mph: Not known. For Keystone West: Not known.

$418.2 million for Phase I; costs for Phase II and Keystone West not known.

$27 million

Empire Corridor

1998

462

New York City, Albany, Buffalo

Incremental improvements to the New York-Albany segment to eventually support service up to 125 mph (portions currently reach 110 mph); improved service for Albany-Buffalo. 

$1.8 billion (2005$) for a 10-year improvement plan.

$2.0 billion

$151 million

Northern New England Corridor

2000; extended in 2004

489

Boston, Montreal, Portland, Springfield, New Haven, Albany

Incremental improvements to eventually support 110 mph service.

Not yet known.

N/A

$195 million

Northeast Corridor*

Not a designated corridor, but eligible for funding.

457

Washington, Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Newark, New York City, New Haven, Providence, Boston

Upgrades to reduce travel times on the corridor.

$11.8 billion (2009$)

$11.8 billion

$112 million

TOTAL KNOWN COST ESTIMATE FOR PLANNED CORRIDOR PROJECTS

$90.1 billion to $92.3 billion

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