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Image: Washington Post

Our Mission

The state departments of transportation are bringing a new era of passenger rail to the United States. State DOTs are responsible for planning, building, and delivering high-speed and intercity passenger rail and are working collaboratively with existing freight and passenger railroads and the Federal Railroad Administration to achieve success.

For more information on AASHTO's High-Speed Rail program, contact Shayne Gill, sgill@aashto.org.

What's New?

  • AASHTO Passenger Rail Report released. (Link to Report)
  • First Multistate Order for Standardized Rail Cars Will Help Boost American Manufacturers (Link to Story)
  • California's Bay Area plans to split $1.5Billion cost to supercharge rail line (Link to story
  • Amtrak CEO: New rail tunnels to New York critical (Link to story) 
  • Freeport, Brunswick train platforms debut for Amtrak Downeaster (Link to story)
  • Oregon and Washington State join in rail operations, passenger rail service on ideal track (Link to story)
  • FRA conducts presentation on communicating performance (Link to presentation)

Latest Press Releases from AASHTO, Amtrak, States and Federal Government


 

Amtrak begins 110mph Service in Michigan

(Link to Story) (Above for Video)

Washington State DOT Releases their monthly rail update

US DOT and NIST/MEP launch partnership to help connect passenger railcar builders and US suppliers to help achieve 100% Buy America goal.  
Visit the NIST/MEP web site 

Amtrak Ridership, Revenue Up

California High Speed Rail Authority Releases Preferred Route Through Valley. Train Stations in Downtown Merced and Fresno


Michigan DOT Announces Ridership Growth on all three Amtrak Lines

US DOT announces millions for New York and Washington State to improve rail service

News Articles, Opinion Pieces, Blogs on Passenger Rail

Amtrak North Dakota depot booms with oil patch passengers

California bullet train board approves environmental studies

Chowchilla builder commits $1Billion for high-speed rail facilities

Ground Breaks to eliminate major bottleneck in Missouri


High-Speed Rail work resumes in Illinois

Amtrak Hiawatha Line breaks ridership record


Vermont track improvements result in faster passenger service

VIDEO: Washington State Receives $590 Million for High-Speed Rail

Viewpoints: Case for high-speed rail grows only stronger

NGEC Chair Bill Bronte's Letter to the Editor, Trains Magazine

Governors of both parties agree: Rail is vital to N.C.'s future








A world class system of high-speed and intercity passenger rail in America is no longer just a dream. It is real and its success is critical to transforming transportation in our lifetime.

State departments of transportation have spearheaded the effort to develop and fund a national intercity passenger rail system for the past decade. They have planned, financed, and delivered successful intercity passenger rail service, and they will lead the development of high-speed rail systems across the nation.

Fueled by $8 billion in economic recovery funding, and a strong consensus of continuing support in Congress, America is making a permanent investment in passenger rail. Regardless of which routes are first to get awards, there will not be winners and losers. There will be winners and future winners.

State transportation departments are providing best practices, technical assistance, standards development and planning to create the next generation of passenger rail service connecting America.



 
 
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