Quote:
Originally Posted by aquablue
The track from 100 years ago is not even comparable to real HSR, don't even bother with that ridiculous argument. The situations are entirely different.
Bottom line, if the USA gave a crap about rail and didn't have stupid biases against it, the NEC would have TGV style lines today despite problems, costs, etc. It's the perfect place for it in N. America. I'm done debating this with you. You are just here to intentionally nitpick, spewing useless math exercises around and bringing up ridiculous strawman arguments. Be in denial if you want, I'm out.
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Data are facts, not my opinions. I often report where I found that data.
If you don't like the data I present, find others you like better and post them. Continue the argument in a grown up, civilized way, don't shut the argument down with "my way or the highway!"
Here's some more data you will probably ignore completely. Never-the-less, data you should read. Amtrak's latest estimation to enhance the NEC is $150.5 Billion.
https://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/453/325...t-Corridor.pdf
Master Plan South - New York to Washington and Harrisburg Branch = $14.9
Master Plan North - New York to Boston and New Haven-Springfield Branch = $3.9
Gateway Program - Newark to New York = $14.7
NextGen HSR Phase 1 - New York to Washington = $51.4
NextGen HSR Phase 2 - New York to Boston = $58.0
High-Speed Rolling Stock = $5.2
High-Speed Rolling Stock Servicing Facilities = $2.4
Total = $150.5 Billion
Note, this is Amtrak plan which does not build an entirely new HSR corridor all the way from D.C. to Boston. Who knows how much that would cost?
Here's Trumps's proposed budget for the USDOT.
Per
https://www.transportation.gov/sites...hts-book_0.pdf
Bullet points of interest:
The FY 2018 President’s Budget request is $75 Billion.
In total this is about the same funding level as FY 2016.
The Department’s discretionary programs are funded at $16.3 billion.
The mandatory programs are funded at $59.6 billion.
The President’s Budget includes $200 billion to support his Infrastructure proposal. This funding is not included with the Department of Transportation funding recommendations but is included in the President’s overall request.
Of course, any President's proposed budget faces a quick death in the US Congress, but it's a start to see where the money goes..
Federal Aviation Administration $16,125.9 Million
Federal Highway Administration $45,009.6 Million
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration $657.8 Million
National Highway Traffc Safety Administration $899.1 Million
Federal Transit Administration $1,225.9 Million
Federal Railroad Administration $1,049.0 Million
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration $259.1 Million
Maritime Administration $393.8 Million
Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation $28.3 Million
Offce of the Secretary $278.0 Million
Offce of Inspector General $87.3 Million
Offsetting Receipts [739.8 Million]
Total DOT Budget Authority $75,274.2 Million
Where does the FRA funds go?
Safety & Ops $199.0 Million
Research and Development $39.1 Million
Amtrak $760.0 Million
Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements $25.0 Million
Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair $25.9 Million
Restoration and Enhancement Grants 0.0
Rail Safety Grants 0.0
Northeast Corridor Improvement Program 0.0
Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Program 0.0
Rescissions Of Prior Year Balances 0.0
Total $1,049.0 Million
Amtrak receives around 75% of all funds going to the FRA.
It'll take a very long time for it to fund $150 Billion just for the NEC enhancements. I'm not even sure the FRA is equipped with enough personnel to manage a large inflow of funds for NEC enhancements? Amtrak planninggoes out to 2035, about 20 years to implement. They would need like $7.5 Billion per year over 20 years to spend $150 Billion on the NEC. That's 7 times the present FRA budget.