The High Speed Rail System that the U.S. Should Have

In the 20th century the Unites States built an Interstate Highway System that was admired by the world. The system signified excellence and contributed in shaping the United States into a world economic superpower. It was a time of national pride and when America led the way in advancements. Now though, the U.S. has failed to keep pace and while other top nations in Europe and Asia have built high-speed rail systems, America has not advanced. As the people of America watch their transportation system fall behind a movement has begun, led by an artist and activist named Alfred Twu.

Twu has constructed a map detailing exactly what a high-speed rail in America would look like. He began working on this map in 2009, when President Obama’s plan to build high-speed rail was unveiled. Twu has created a petition to the White House to fund such a system and after just a week, that White House petition already has 28,838 signatures.

Trains zipping across the country at 220 mph might sound like a far-fetched futuristic concept, but Twu thinks this project could be built out much like the Interstate Highway System was built in the 1950’s.

But certainly there’s not enough money to do something like this, given the economic situation in the United States at the moment, right? Tsu says cost estimates for a high-speed rail system like this range from $1-$2 trillion. That may sound expensive, but divided over four decades, that is around $25-$50 billion a year or $80-$160 a year per person. That’s a couple tank’s worth of gas money.

There was a time not too long ago when America led the world by doing big things. Long-term thinking, hard work, and national pride allowed the country to come together and build a better future for the next generation. Constructing a new national high-speed railway system would send a message to the rest of the world that America can lead again. So what would you like to see? Will you sign the petition?

Article by Adam Camara

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