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
why do you think the southern virginia east-west connection isn't likely? these past 20-25 years virginia's been overdelivering on providing funding and support for its amtrak expansion.
it'd also dovetail with the already in progress expansions west from roanoke to christiansburg and the blacksburg vicinity.
Mostly because of the West Virginia part of the Line, the part in Virginia is rather likely to me
