So with the current map that the FRA has released, here are what I think are most likely to get approved, in the bright lime green.
Here is my reasoning for all of them. If you think other routes have a high likelihood please explain why, I want to know.
- Cheyenne-Denver-Trinidad, already has state funding from Colorado and is one of the most important routes on this list as it will serve the front range corridor
- Yuma-Pheonix-Tucson, amtrak has already applied for funding for the route with its long distance service improvements request
- Bakersfield-Barstow, It fills in a massive gap with the bay area and LA by connecting them
- Oklahoma City-Wichita-Newton, Oklahoma has made it clear that they want to extend the Heartland Flyer and the Line has already had studies done
- Meridian-Jackson-Marshall-Fort Worth, The Cresent Extension is one of the main plans of the southern rail commission and is another key connection point in the amtrak system
- Minneapolis-Duluth, Minnesota already approved funding for the line
- Chicago-Indianapolis-Louisville- Nashville-Atlanta--Savannah-Miami, it is a more obvious route than the Floridian and the one the FRA focused on in the planning document, it also fills in the 2 largest missing corridors of Chicago to Atlanta and Miami.
- Sandport-Helena-Billings-Fargo, The North Coast Hiawatha is pretty much the reason this study was created by Jon Tester and also is an important previous route
- Cincinnati-Dayton-Columbus-Cleveland, it was going to be a route in the 2010s but got shelved and has also been planned. Everyone wants this to happen and Dewine might fund it
Brightline West from Vegas to Rancho Cucamonga is shovel ready and starting construction in the fall.
This ain’t about Brightline. This is about Amtrak Expansion. But yeah the high-speed rail project is really exciting
