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Amtrak vaunts national park views … Roll out a Vancouver adventure … DC’s new stops are daycation hubs

Views of some of America’s most picturesque national parks awail travelers along Amtrak train routes. © Amtrak

Amtrak reveals hidden beauty of national parks
There’s something special about traveling by train — sightseeing without distraction while comfortably ensconced in a window seat overlooking the outside world as it passes by in all its scenic glory. And undoubtedly one of the best reasons for train travel is the ability to experience places that would otherwise be off-limits — with views of some of America’s most picturesque national parks awaiting travelers along Amtrak train routes. [thetravel.com]

Roll out of Seattle on a Vancouver discovery tour
A bald eagle coasted alongside the speeding train — Amtrak No. 516 en route from Seattle to Vancouver, B.C., on a recent Friday morning — the bird’s wings spread wide as it rode the wind. Passenger trains have been chugging along the waters off Washington state and British Columbia since early in the 20th century, but Amtrak paused the Cascades route at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. This fall, service finally resumed. [seattletimes.com]

DC’s new Silver Line stops are daycation hubs
With the completion of the second phase of Metro’s Silver Line, Washingtonians now have expanded rail service to exciting new destinations. Yes, there’s Dulles International Airport — but there are also plenty of places to go along the line that make for an easy and accessible “daycation” experience. Along this stretch of rail, you’ll find hiking and camping, a lazy river, rooftop putt-putt golf, indoor climbing and ropes courses, mountain biking, and one of Northern Virginia’s best breweries. [dcist.com]

Get back on track with an easy-going rail break
Although often overlooked for other modes of transit — namely, planes and automobiles — trains allow for a kind of romance that never goes out of style. Amtrak covers the United States from sea to shining sea, so you can just look out the window and enjoy the ride — without airport hassles, gas station bathrooms or traffic. Even better, numerous Amtrak trains wind their way through picture-perfect towns with luxury hotels, stunning scenery and noteworthy attractions so you can embark on a car-free getaway. [forbes.com]

 

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Amtrak bonuses questioned … Ohioans push for passenger rail … Ottawa LRT hit by more delays

Amtrak train at platform
House Republicans are urging Amtrak to answer questions about six-figure bonuses top executives received last year despite poor performance during the coronavirus pandemic. © © Amtrak

GOP lawmakers questioning Amtrak bonuses
House Republicans are urging Amtrak to answer questions about six-figure bonuses top executives received last year despite rail’s poor financial performance and low ridership during the coronavirus pandemic. Amtrak has said it increased its short-term incentive awards for managers across the company in 2019 to try to address retention and hiring issues. The company said it created the bonus program in 2013 after changing its retirement program and closing it to newly hired employees. [nytimes.com]

Officials across Ohio pushing for passenger rail
Mayors and planners across Ohio have shipped their passenger rail wish lists to the federal government. In a series of letters, officials said a top priority remains a “3C+D” line linking Columbus to Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, and possibly, John Glenn International Airport. This broad bipartisan support for Ohio Amtrak expansion at the local level could pressure state officials who have mostly stayed mum on the topic. The move also puts Ohio projects on the Federal Railroad Administration’s radar for potential funding.[axios.com]

Ottawa light-rail extensions hit by more delays
Delays in construction of the western extension to Ottawa Light Rail Transit’s (OLRT) Confederation Line have extended the project’s expected completion time by 17 months to late 2026. Completion of the Trillium Line southern extension, which is due to open in September 2023, has already been delayed by a year. Meanwhile, an inquiry continues to investigate causes of derailments and breakdowns that hampered the first stage of Ottawa’s LRT project. An inquiry report is expected by month’s end. [ailjournal.com]

Virgin Hyperloop dropping its Virgin branding
Something’s going on at Virgin Hyperloop, the startup attempting to bring Elon Musk’s vision of high-speed trains to life. At some point in the last few weeks, the company has quietly changed its name back to Hyperloop One, the brand it used between 2016 and 2017. Its website has been scrubbed clean, too, using an old stock image of the XP-1 test pod and the claim that “It’s a new day at Hyperloop One,” too. [finance.yahoo.com]

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Miami-to-Beach extension ahead … Study eyes Amtrak expansion … Musk dismantling hyperloop

Miami Metromover
After years of discussion and public clamoring, getting to Miami Beach by train may finally become a reality by the end of the decade. © Lambert Advisory

Miami Metromover expanding to Miami Beach
After years of discussion and public clamoring, getting to Miami Beach by train may finally become a reality by the end of the decade. Miami-Dade County has posted a new video announcing plans to expand Miami’s Metromover to Miami Beach. With the expansion, visitors and residents would be able to get from Miami International Airport to South Beach via rail. A county news release also hinted at a connection to PortMiami. The plan supplants an earlier, costlier proposed monorail project. [local10.com]

FRA study eyes Amtrak long-distance expansion
The Federal Railroad Administration has begun a mandated study to evaluate the restoration and development of long-distance train services and routes. Before Amtrak’s takeover of most intercity services in 1971, federal law required freight railroads to operate such services. Amtrak initially discontinued many routes, with additional cuts in 1979, 1997, and 2005. Amtrak currently operates 15 long-distance trains, with routes ranging from 760 miles to 2,500 miles. [smartcitiesdive.com]

Musk dismantling ill-fated hyperloop prototype
Erik Wright was thrilled when he got the news in 2016 that his business had been selected to help with an ambitious technology project: building the prototype tunnel for Elon Musk’s Hyperloop. The initiative was envisioned as a test run for a futuristic transportation system involving levitating pods hurtling through tubes at speeds of hundreds of miles per hour. Earlier this year, Wright got a text with an update on the tunnel: It was slated to be torn down. [bloomberg.com]

Brightline Miami-Aventura debut just weeks away
Brightline is just a few weeks away from beginning train service between downtown Miami’s MiamiCentral and Aventura. Travel time is expected to take about 17 minutes. Trip times from Aventura to Fort Lauderdale will be 14 minutes, to Boca Raton 32 minutes, West Palm Beach 56 minutes. Miami-Dade County will offer subsidized fares for a percentage of riders between Aventura and MiamiCentral. The station will have a parking garage, an autonomous market, and passenger lounges. [thenextmiami.com]

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Streetcar chases Tampa rebirth … Why are US transit projs so costly? … Transit access without smartphones

Tampa TECO Line Streetcar
Tampa's TECO Line Streetcar has evolved from a charming yet oft-disparaged tourist attraction into one of the county’s few reliable public transit options. © Phil Squattrito | Flickr

Tampa streetcar chases downtown’s rebirth
Celebrating its 20th birthday this month, Tampa’s TECO Line Streetcar has evolved from a charming yet oft-disparaged tourist attraction into one of the county’s few reliable public transit options for those lucky enough to benefit from its 2.7-mile footprint. The city’s population has grown about 24% since the streetcar’s 2002 launch. And the route has seen surging ridership since it became free to ride in 2018. But as developments have sprouted, transportation infrastructure has failed to keep pace. [tampabay.com]

Why are US public transit projects so costly?
For the last two years, researchers at the New York University Marron Institute of Urban Management have been building a database of transit projects. The goal of the Transit Costs Project is to understand what drives project costs, what makes some places more expensive than others, and how costs can be reduced. Among its findings, the U.S. is the sixth most expensive country in the world when it comes to building rapid rail projects. [governing.com]

Making transit accessible without smartphones
Smartphones have revolutionized how we communicate and plan our trips, but about 15% of Americans don’t have one. And for those who do have smartphones, it might not necessarily be able to stay on all day without a recharge. Making real-time transit information accessible in more places, however, is an expensive and sometimes intrusive endeavor. So agencies in the Twin Cities, Boston, New York City and beyond are experimenting with technology such as e-paper as a way to get around it. [nextcity.org]

Cities navigating post-covid transit challenges
Federal funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is enabling historic investments in US public transportation. Cities still face significant challenges, though. The dramatic shift in commuting patterns after millions were told to work from home during the pandemic has left cities wondering to what extent old habits will return. And with the frequency and cost of natural disasters rising, certain cities – particularly those in coastal regions – have found themselves vulnerable to sudden changes. [cities-today.com]

Will Europeans give up their planes for trains?
For nearly two decades, cheap, short flights defined European travel. With the rise of budget airlines, people with limited discretionary funds could consider trips that were previously out of reach. And people took advantage of that access. But all those flights amounted to a big carbon footprint — undermining Europe’s pledges to cut harmful emissions and become carbon-neutral. Now, climate-conscious European governments and groups are going to varying lengths to break people of their flight habits. [washingtonpost.com]

 

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Corridor plan ditches VIA Rail … PA boosts Scranton-NYC return … Boston T’s manager resigns

VIA Rail Siemens Charger
VIA Rail has been shunted aside from its project to construct and operate an electrified “High Frequency Rail” (HFR) service along the Quebec-Windsor Corridor. © Siemens

New Quebec-Windsor Corridor plan ditches VIA Rail
Transport Canada has confirmed that state corporation VIA Rail Canada has been shunted aside from its own project to construct and operate an electrified “High Frequency Rail” (HFR) service along the Corridor linking Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto—the only profitable route VIA currently covers. A new state enterprise will be created to carry the project forward and oversee HFR operations. Deprived of the Corridor traffic, VIA Rail would be left only with its money-losing regional and national services. [railwayage.com]

Pennsylvania targets $3.7M at Scranton-NYC return
Pennsylvania is contributing to Amtrak’s plan to restore passenger rail service between Scranton and New York City. The state awarded $3.7 million to the construction of a railroad line in the Poconos, said Gov. Tom Wolf in a news release. The rail along the Pocono Mainline will provide required upgrades for a new Amtrak passenger train service to northeastern Pennsylvania. Amtrak estimates about 425,000 riders a year would travel at least part of the Scranton to New York City route. [wfmz.com]

Manager of Boston’s troubled “T” to leave in January
The general manager of Boston’s troubled public transit system, who shepherded the agency through the pandemic and faced calls to resign during a federal safety review will step down on January 3rd. Steve Poftak, in a letter to MBTA employees, acknowledged problems, but also touted improvements the system has made under his leadership, The subway system, the nation’s oldest, experienced a series of safety problems in the past year or so that prompted a review by the Federal Transit Administration. [apnews.com]

Chicago CTA advances Red Line extension project
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is moving ahead with its Red Line Extension (RLE) project by seeking companies to design and build a 5.6 mi extension. The planned $3.6 bl RLE project will extend the Red Line from its southern terminal at 95th Street to 130th Street. This will include four stations and a railcar storage yard and maintenance facility. Initially, the CTA will issue a Request for Qualifications to a pool of contracting teams to design and build the project. Construction is scheduled to start as early as 2025. [railway-news.com]

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DC Dulles link due by Thanksgiving … S Jersey proj moves ahead … Seattle rail tunnel to get reboot

Washington Dulles WAMTA Metro station
WMATA's plan to return all 7000-series rail cars to service has been approved, setting in motion the opening of the Silver Line extension to Washington Dulles International Airport. © Capital Rail Constructors

DC trains comeback to spur Dulles extension opening
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s plan to return all 7000-series rail cars to service has been approved by the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission after a previous plan was rejected. The rail cars were suspended from service in October 2021 following a derailment.The plan’s approval sets in motion the opening of the Silver Line extension to Washington Dulles International Airport. The 11.4 mi extension includes six new stations and a new rail yard. The line will open before Thanksgiving.[progressiverailroading.com]

Proposed South Jersey light rail design to begin
Plans to bring a new light rail route to South Jersey have moved forward with the selection of two firms to handle project management and preliminary design work. Backed by the Delaware River Port Authority, PATCO and NJ Transit, the Glassboro-Camden light rail project (GCL) calls for 14 stations along an existing 18 mi line using diesel, light-rail trains. The GCL would enable riders to transfer to the PATCO Speedline for access to Philadelphia. A preliminary timeline calls for service to begin in 2028. [phillyvoice.com]

Sound Transit takes ownership of aging Seattle tunnel
More than three years after buses were evicted from Seattle’s distinctive transit tunnel, the 1.3-mile passage will finally become the property of Sound Transit, which promises to fix the four worn-out stations for light-rail customers. Metro is handing off the tunnel at no cost, but Sound Transit has planned a $96 million investment for upgrades, not just for new escalators and elevators, but also to fix utility lines, broken floor and wall sections, and soiled artworks. [seattletimes.com]

Swiss claim record for world’s longest passenger train
A Swiss railway has claimed the record for the world’s longest passenger train with a trip on one of the most spectacular tracks through the Alps. The Rhaetian Railway ran the 1.9 km long (1.2 mi long) train composed of 100 coaches along the Albula/Bernina route from Preda to Berguen. The entire journey took over an hour. Rail enthusiasts lined the valley to watch the train’s 25 sections wind their way about 25 km (15.5 mi) through the Alps. The route was designated a UNESCO World Heritage in 2008. [apnews.com]

DC Metro begins issuing fare evasion tickets
Metro says it will begin enforcing penalties for fare evasion Tuesday, meaning anyone who doesn’t pay for their ride could be fined. It’s part of an effort to close a shortfall of nearly $185 million in Metro’s upcoming budget. Metro estimates it lost $40 million due to fare evasion in the 2022 fiscal year. Fare evasion fines are $50 in D.C. and $100 in Maryland and Virginia. Metro says it’s looking into other ways to ensure all riders pay, including modifying gates. [nbcwashington.com]

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Amtrak Valley Flyer here to stay … Safety concerns halt LA project … Honolulu rail to open despite flaws

AmtrakValley Flyer
MassDOT has announced that Amtrak’s Valley Flyer Passenger Service will become permanent fixture in south-central New England. © Trains in the Valley

New England Valley Flyer train made permanent
MassDOT has announced that Amtrak’s Valley Flyer Passenger Service will become permanent fixture in south-central New England. It will offer a seven day-a-week service between Greenfield, Massachusetts and New Haven, Connecticut. The Valley Flyer service, which has been operating as a pilot program, is on track to provide 24,000 annual trips for next year. The service will ease travel between western Massachusetts, central Connecticut, and New York City. [wwlp.com]

Safety concerns halt LA Purple Line construction
LA Metro has halted construction for two weeks on the second phase of the Purple Line subway extension under Wilshire Boulevard citing numerous injuries and safety concerns.. In a letter to contractor Tutor Perini O&G (TPOG), Metro officials cited dozens of injuries since July 2021, including falls from ladders, lacerated and crushed fingers, and falling pipes and hoses. In order for the work suspension to be lifted, TPOG will be required to evaluate past incidents and prepare a revised safety plan. [dailynews.com]

Honolulu rail to open despite structural defects
Officials are trying to open the first leg of Honolulu’s long-delayed rail project in the coming months. But there’s still concern over the concrete that supports the line. A crucial piece of that is making sure the issue of the cracks on the hammerhead structures are resolved. While noting that “engineering reports have not yet been finalized,” a new report issued by the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) states that “the designed strength of the hammerhead structures is acceptable.” [hawaiinewsnow.com]

NEC bridge replacement process to start in 2023
Amtrak will begin contractor procurement for construction of a new Connecticut River Bridge in 2023. The bridge, which is part of a more than $500 million investment by Amtrak, CTDOT, and the FRA, will be delivered using the design-bid-build delivery method. Amtrak expects to award a contract in late 2023 with construction expected to start in early 2024. Replacement of the 115-year-old bridge will decrease delays and improve reliability for rail travel along the Northeast Corridor. [masstransitmag.com]

Instability forces California high-speed rail reboot
After determining that it’s not in the state’s best interest to extend the time for track and systems procurement in its current form, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) will let it expire and restructure it to better respond to current market instability. The authority will immediately begin work to restructure the delivery model for elements like track, signaling, electrification, and operations control. CHSRA expects to rebid the procurement(s) in 2023 emphasizing competition, pricing, and scheduling. [rtands.com]

New York MTA orders additional subway cars
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority has approved an order for Kawasaki Rail Car to supply 640 more subway cars from early 2025 for use on the A and C lines and the Staten Island Railway. The order was placed as an option on a 2018 contract which included a $1.4bn base order for 535 cars with options for up to 1077 for a total value of $3.7bn. The order now stands at 1175 cars. The first cars were delivered in 2021, and testing is underway with service expected by spring 2023. [railwaygazette.com]

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CP will back Amtrak expansion … Buttigieg says no to hyperloop … Brightline aces first 110 mph test

Amtrak Charger
Amtrak is asking the STB to approve the CP/KCS merger on the condition that CP backs Amtrak expansion plans. © © Amtrak

CP agrees to back new and expanded Amtrak routes
Canadian Pacific will back Amtrak’s efforts to expand passenger-rail in several locations, according to Amtrak’s final brief on the proposed merger between CP and Kansas City Southern. Amtrak is asking the STB to approve the merger on the condition that CP keeps commitments made to Amtrak to allow the expansion or addition of Amtrak services between Chicago, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis-St. Paul; between New Orleans and Baton Rouge; and between Detroit and VIA Rail Canada in Windsor, Ontario. [progressiverailroading.com]

DOT’s Buttigieg says no gov funds for Musk hyperloop
U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says that although Elon Musk’s “hyperloop” idea is “super interesting,” he doesn’t believe government money should fund it. “Sure, try it,” he said, “but we’ll probably not try it on our dime.” Buttigieg added that the most obvious flaw of hyperloop systems is that the tech hasn’t been proven to work in the real world —and that he’s “got some questions” about the feasibility of the system’s vacuum design. [gizmodo.com]

Brightline successfully completes first 110 mph test
After three days of successful high speed runs, Brightline will continue testing its passenger rail service at speeds of up to 110 mph through November. This first six-week phase of testing is occurring along an 11 mi stretch of track through Martin and St. Lucie Counties. Testing, in preparation for opening to Orlando in 2023, will occur in phases along the 129-mile rail corridor between West Palm Beach and Cocoa. Brightline currently operates between Miami and West Palm Beach. [wqcs.org]

Gov Cox ponders Utah rail future including high-speed
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox recently stated that high-speed rail is a long-term target for the state. Other regional passenger line services are also being explored with the possibility of Utah, Nevada, and Idaho DOTs looking into a rail connection between Boise, Salt Lake, and Las Vegas. High-speed rail has been under consideration in Utah for the last three years, but no money has been dedicated for a study. Utah Transit Authority’s commuter train service has a line connecting Ogden to Provo. [rtands.com]

Disabled NY subway users sue to close train/platform gap
The MTA is facing a new legal challenge from New Yorkers with disabilities — just months after the transit agency settled two other lawsuits that resulted in a commitment to add elevators or ramps at most subway stations by 2055. Three New Yorkers with disabilities on Tuesday filed a class-action lawsuit in Manhattan State Supreme Court that demands the MTA fix the gaps between subway trains and station platforms that can challenge riders who are blind or use a wheelchair. [thecity.nyc]

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LA Metrolink to Redlands debuts … Amtrak emission goals on track … China sees Vactrain test success

Metrolink train
Metrolink has marked the opening of its new "Arrow" line between downtown San Bernardino and downtown Redlands. © SBCTA

Metrolink Redlands to San Bernardino ‘Arrow’ train debuts
Metrolink has marked the opening of its new “Arrow” line, which features clean-air rail technology, new tracks, enhanced street crossings, quiet zones, and five stations along the nine-mile route between downtown San Bernardino and downtown Redlands. Arrow connects the East Valley of San Bernardino County to a transit hub providing access to all points west. Stations include Downtown and Tippecanoe in San Bernardino; and Esri, Downtown, and University in Redlands. [la.streetsblog.org]

OIG says Amtrak on track to meet emission reduction goals
A report by the Amtrak Office of Inspector General (OIG) states that the passenger rail company appears likely to meet a 2030 goal to cut emissions to 40% below 2010 levels. Amtrak has acquired more efficient electric locomotives for the Northeast Corridor and more fuel-efficient diesel locomotives for use nationwide. And LED lighting has been added to facilities and stations. The report cites easily attainable actions like the reduction of diesel idling time and sustainability training for all employees. [railwayage.com]

China’s hyperloop-like Vactrain makes sucessful test run
China has become the world’s first country to successfully test a hyperloop-style, magnetically levitated train inside a vacuum tube — or “vactrain” for short. During the test, the train reached speeds of up to 80 mph along a roughly 1.25-mile track inside a “low vacuum tube.” The goal is to eventually construct a full-scale, 37-mile test track and have trains reach speeds of up to 621 mph. The test could lay the groundwork for an entirely new kind of high-speed train system, not unlike the “Hyperloop,” a design popularized by Elon Musk. [futurism.com]

Montreal’s REM south shore line delayed until spring 2023
Montreal’s light-rail network line to the city’s south shore won’t be ready by year’s end as planned. Service on the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) link to Brossard has been delayed to spring 2023 in order to run tests during more difficult winter operating conditions. The delay comes as commuters face the imminent partial closure of the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine tunnel between the city and the south shore through 2025. The delay-plagued REM will have 26 stations along 67 km of track. [globalnews.ca]

Planned construction of Maya Train section now in doubt
Construction of a stretch of Mexico’s Maya Train railroad is in doubt due to the opposition of local landowners, according to President López. The president stated that the section between Chetumal, Quintana Roo, and Xpujil, Campeche, might not be built if an agreement can’t be reached with the leaders of five ejidos, or communal parcels of land. The president raised doubts about their claim and indicated that the government wouldn’t their demand if it determined their claim wasn’t valid. [mexiconewsdaily.com]

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DC line may miss debut target … Amtrak Missouri trains cut back … Erosion nixes Ohio scenic runs

Silver Line extension to Dulles
Washington D.C.'s Metro may be unable open its Silver Line extension to Dulles Airport before Thanksgiving as planned. © Capital Rail Constructors

DC line may miss Thanksgiving opening target
Washington D.C.’s Metro may be unable open its Silver Line extension to Dulles Airport before Thanksgiving as planned, after the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission rejected the agency’s request to return more 7000-series trains to service. The commission — Metro’s oversight body — said the plan to bring newer trains back into service is not backed up by safety data. Most have been out of service for nearly a year, after faulty wheels on one of them caused a derailment in October 2021. [dcist.com]

Amtrak Missouri River Runner cut to one trip
Amtrak is suspending one of two daily round trips to Kansas City beginning Monday, citing “a shortage of available train equipment.” The suspension, which comes just three months after the passenger rail carrier resumed twice-a-day service on the route following a state funding boost, will be in effect through Nov. 16. The second roundtrip had been discontinued in January after Missouri legislators had cut funding. Funding was restored on July 1st. [stltoday.com]

Trackside erosion cancels Ohio scenic train runs
Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad continues to cancel excursion trains because of riverbank erosion along its route. All trains but the Cleveland Dinner and Event Train, which will operate on an abbreviated route, have been cancelled through Nov. 6. The tourist railroad first saw erosion-related closures on Oct. 14. The new erosion issues came just over two weeks after Cuyahoga Valley National Park announced it had received a $14 million grant to stabilize the riverbank. [trains.com]

Expanded Vermont service sees strong ridership
Amtrak’s expanded Ethan Allen Express service in Vermont appears to be a success. VTrans said while it’s still very early on for this train route, ridership is on track with what Amtrak expected. The most recent data shows about 2,500 riders boarded in Burlington, Vergennes and Middlebury in July and about 3,000 in Augus, with New York City being the number one destination so far. Meanwhile, a VTrans marketing campaign promoting the train is running in NYC. [wcax.com]

California HSR project is sustainability leader
The California High-Speed Rail Authority has released its latest Sustainability Report detailing how the project serves as the backbone of the state’s ambitious climate goals. Among key milestones highlighted in the report are the restoration of over 2,972 acres of habitat and protection of over 3,190 acres of agricultural land; planting of over 7,100 trees; and avoiding or sequestering 420,245 metric tons of carbon dioxide—the equivalent of removing one natural gas-fired power plant from the grid for a year [rtands.com]

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