There are plenty of good reasons to expand high-speed rail (HSR) in the U.S. Widespread HSR could alleviate traffic congestion in crowded metropolitan areas, cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, and give the airlines some competition on shorter inter-city routes. All noble causes, to be sure, but last week Department of Transportation (DOT) secretary Ray LaHood offered a potentially more convincing argument: Jobs.

“Our goal is to develop a national high-speed rail network, create good jobs here in America and help reinvigorate our manufacturing base,” LaHood said, following a conference on domestic HSR manufacturing. “We know these are tough economic times for many folks and we believe that U.S. rail manufacturers and suppliers will benefit greatly from this new program. We also look forward to establishing joint ventures with foreign firms who can provide expertise and establish or expand their operations here in the U.S.”

Super-fast train service is one of President Obama’s priorities, and appears to be emerging as a cog in his administration’s jobs-development plans for the coming year. The stimulus bill, passed in March, directed $8 billion toward HSR development. During his days as a senator, Vice President Joe Biden famously rode Amtrak from his home in Delaware to Washington. In short, the administration has HSR on the brain.

But will we ever have it on the ground? Read the rest of this entry »