Biden's infrastructure plan

[politruk]

has drawn some criticism because it does not include high-speed rail, only an upgrade and expansion of the conventional rail system. Europe and China and Japan have HSR, why can't we?

Also, so far as I have heard, it includes no funding for local mass transit. That's something that could really improve the daily lives of millions, quite apart from getting cars off the roads.

Are these things, for some reason, not politically viable at the moment?

[Baked Potato]

1. Falling bridges and pot-holed freeways are priority.

We are so far behind in building back that we must fix the roads and bridges that would be used by workers and equipment to build high speed rail.

As far as local mass transit:

Modernize public transit. Households that take public transportation to work have twice the commute time, and households of color are twice as likely to take public transportation.

-snip-

President Biden is calling on Congress to invest $85 billion to modernize existing transit and help agencies expand their systems to meet rider demand. This investment will double federal funding for public transit, spend down the repair backlog, and bring bus, bus rapid transit, and rail service to communities and neighborhoods across the country. It will ultimately reduce traffic congestion for everyone.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/03/31/fact-sheet-the-american-jobs-plan/

[WhiteTara]

2. I think there are 2 issues

one is that high speed requires a different rail size and the other is there isn't enough viable land to run tracks. Fixing what we have and allocating premier space on the tracks would greatly enhance train travel. We have to fix the tracks to accommodate both passenger and freight.

[politruk]

4. Doesn't any existing conventional rail line

include sufficient right-of-way to add a HSR track? I know it's not that simple, e.g., HSR requires a more level grade and less-sharp turns. But it shouldn't be an insuperable problem.

[WarGamer]

3. Expand regular rail first.

Trust me...

Rail from LA to Vegas, even at 65mph will beat taking a car.

Rail from LA to Phoenix (NOT THRU Flag) is a winner, better than crossing the desert in a car, half falling asleep

Lots of routes to expand first.