Need me some popcorn, this finally dropped
First up, They really want to make sure that we know this is purely a study and not construction or development of any lines
Next the FRA establishes that the criteria they are using to decide on routes, which is pretty good criteria, basically access unserved regions of the US both large and small, try to help lower income and rural communities with the new routes, make the overall network better connected and more usable, and finally take into account the wants and needs of the public
They then give us this map from the previous meeting to better help show what the possibilities could be, this is not the map of what routes were selected for further study, this is simply a base for us to work off of
The FRA is apparently pretty confident that the Cardinal and Sunset Limited will get daily service given that they assume it will happen for the study
And there's the Map we have been waiting for, the 15 lines that were selected for further study
If I'm honest the MSP-Pheonix and the South Dakota Line were not what I was going to bet on, Houston to New York is also a big surprise to me
In case you were curious about the statistics of the new lines.
Anyways here it is, the queen, the icon, the line we have all been waiting for:
Chicago-Louisville-Nashville-ATL-Miami is moving forward
It has some chances for various different alignments South of Atlanta, I personally support the alternatives that go through Savannah. But this is seriously one of the most important gaps in the network for the us to fill and we finally are getting a real chance at it being filled. This connects 3 of the nation's most important cities as well as hits 3 major cities that are not part of the current network with Louisville, Nashville, and Chattanooga
I don't really have a ton to say about these lines as I am just not as big on the west coast but I am sure you guys would appreciate it
I do think it is funny that the alternatives for LA-Denver are just a completely different route though
This however, it perplexes me and I am obsessed
Whoever at the FRA came up with this ridiculous routing, I am a big fan. Also it really helps transit in the great plains and southwest
