UPDATE: High-speed Kalamazoo-Niles rail link planned

Today from the Kalamazoo Gazette:

"Boosting speeds to up to 110 mph along a stretch of rail between Kalamazoo and Niles tops the list of plans to improve high-speed rail travel in the Midwest, Michigan Department of Transportation officials said Thursday.

That 43-mile stretch of track could be the first area outside the Northeast where trains are allowed to reach those speeds, MDOT officials said.

The upgrade could be completed as early as this year, MDOT officials said, following President Barack Obama's announcement Thursday that $8 billion in economic-stimulus spending would target high-speed rail corridors nationwide.

"I believe (the Kalamazoo to Niles stretch of track) could be the first place outside the Northeast corridor where we see train speeds over 100 mph," said Tim Hoeffner, administrator of MDOT's intermodal policy division."

Obama Administration's Vision for a High Speed Rail

This week the Obama Administration revealed its plans for a system of high speed rail in major America regions. Courtesy of West Michigan Rising, the administration has mapped out several areas across the country it hopes to improve:

"President Obama's vision for high-speed rail mirrors that of President Eisenhower, the father of the Interstate highway system, which revolutionized the way Americans traveled. Now, high-speed rail has the potential to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil, lower harmful carbon emissions, foster new economic development and give travelers more choices when it comes to moving around the country."

The administration is focusing intently on the Midwest region, where it hopes to connect major cities in the area with the economic hub of Chicago. Which cities would it include as stops on this train? Only time will tell, but I'm sure some of it will be up to us as citizens to promote our cities as ideal stops.

Per the Gazette:

"The money will go not only to high-speed rail development but also to a parallel effort to improve rail service along existing lines ? upgrades that would allow faster train travel.

The White House said funding will move into the rail system through three channels, first to upgrade projects already approved and only in need of funding, thus providing jobs in the short term. The second and third would focus on high-speed rail planning and then a commitment to help in the execution of those plans far into the future when the stimulus funds are no longer available.

The U.S. Federal Railroad Administration says the term high-speed rail applies to trains traveling more than 90 mph (145 kph). The European Union standard is above 125 mph (200 kph)."