FRA develops first multi-state planning study for high-performance rail in the Southwest

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor

The  Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has published its first multi-state plan for a comprehensive, high-performing passenger rail network that will support rail planning in six Southwestern states over the next 35 years.

 

“Our nation’s transportation systems must be interconnected and efficient across regions to meet current and future demand,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “This study represents a major step forward and will become a guide post for mobility and intermodal connections throughout the Southwest.”

The Southwest study was developed with regional stakeholders and state agencies considering existing travel conditions and future demand. The Southwest study examines connections to emerging rail markets in six Southwest states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah.

The study supports development of safe, reliable, efficient and interconnected multimodal travel options and envisions a rail network that supports environmental, social and economic sustainability. FRA says it illustrates how connections to local transit, aviation, highways and other modes can be integrated for travelers on a regional basis in a cost-effective manner.

“Planning is the fundamental bedrock to being ready to compete for federal funding as it becomes available,” said Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo. “The Southwest study provides a new regional model for other states and regions to follow as they prepare for future passenger and freight rail development.”

The Southwest region’s longstanding interest in creating a higher-performing rail network helped bring the prototype study together. A diverse group of stakeholders, representing state departments of transportation, metropolitan planning organizations, local governments, transit agencies, Amtrak, freight railroads and private rail developers, were fully-engaged in this effort.

 

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