Thanks to the trio of Republican governors Rick Scott, John Kasich, and Scott Walker, who all rejected millions in high-speed rail funds from the federal government, the northeast rail corridor will receive $800 million for improvements. The Washington Post's Dr. Gridlock reports that much of the work will be done to increase train speed (up to 160 mph!) between New York and Washington, D.C., with repairs being made to switches around Penn Station and equipment updates "along a busy segment of track between Morrisville, Pa., and New Brunswick, N.J." Unfortunately, it is government work, so the upgrades won't be completed until 2017.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood's blog touts that all high-speed rail work being done across the country is under "a strict 'Buy America' requirement" so materials purchased will bolster the economy. This is all dandy, but forget the Acela: we just wish they could lay more track for the steerage cars to keep fares down.
