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Today, the Federal Railroad Administration released its Preliminary National Rail Plan, which outlines the agency’s approach to developing the long-term National Rail Plan. The plan is being developed as required by the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008.

The preliminary plan briefly touches on the development of high-speed rail. According to the plan:

“The federal government is determining how and where to invest in an efficient high-speed intercity passenger-rail network, which would consist of 100- to 600-mile intercity corridors that connect communities across America. … The first steps to advance passenger rail will emphasize strategic investments that will yield tangible benefits to intercity rail infrastructure, equipment, performance and intermodal connections over the next several years, while also creating a pipeline of projects to promote future corridor development. … The United States has a dwindling pool of expertise in passenger rail and a lack of manufacturing capability, but future investment in passenger rail could lead to a resurgence of the industry and require new technologically advanced designs.”

To view the plan in its entirety, follow this link.