Search

The article discusses that members of the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) board have voted to increase the project expenditure authorization of high-speed rail line project in California. It mentions that CHSRA has been targeting grants from programs funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

By putting most of its new high-speed railroad on viaducts, Taiwan is avoiding many construction pitfalls along the route through the urbanized corridor that stretches across the island's western coast. Production line techniques for thousands of 800-tonne girders further eliminated snags--but not SARS and seismic events that harried the $15-billion, three-year-old construction project. Engineering aftershocks of the 1999 "Chi-Chi" earthquake that devastated central Taiwan first hindered progress. With most of its population concentrated along the coast between Taipei and Kaoshiung, Taiwan seems well-suited for high-speed trains.

The article reports on the resignation of Terry Morgan as chairman of HS2 in December 2018 which manages the controversial high-speed rail project from London to Birmingham, England.

The article reports on the announcement of the Missouri Hyperloop Coalition about an agreement to produce a feasibility study for a hyperloop route connecting Kansas City, Columbia, Missouri and St. Louis. According to David Leligdon, vice president at Black & Veatech, the feasibility study will take up to nine months. Virgin Hyperloop One would construct and operate the proposed route.

The article informs that Maryland attorney general's office has called into question the State Highway Administration permitting for the planned East Coast Hyperloop project of Boring Co. It mentions the views of David Stamper, assistant attorney general at the Maryland General Assembly's Office of Counsel, on the project's status as a utility doesn't pass the smell test.

The author discusses the advantages of high speed rail (HSR) transportation in the U.S. He states that since HSR is powered by electricity, it is not subjected to the volatility of oil prices. He notes that freedom from oil allows this transportation mode to end the oil dependency of the nation, which translates into energy security and national security.

The author discusses the advantages of magnetic levitation (maglev) transportation system. He states that maglev can compete with air travel to play an important role in reducing congestion at major airports. He argues that since maglev lines are high-speed and low-maintenance, they would be more cost effective and reliable option for U.S. transportation.

This article reports that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has received several proposals seeking a piece of the 8 billion U.S. dollars it received for high-speed rail grants in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). As of July 16, 2009, 278 rail-grant applications were received by the Federal Railroad Administration amounting to 102.5 billion U.S. dollars. Particular focus is given to California's high-speed rail system proposal.

The article discusses PayPal and Tesla Motors founder Elon Musk's proposed hyperloop transport system as of September 2, 2013. Features of the hyperloop are highlighted including its similarities with and differences from vactrain magnetic levitation transport systems proposed by companies, including RAND Corp. and ET3. The author says Musk's idea for the hyperloop came from his frustration with California's proposed high-speed train system.

The article offers construction news briefs as of January 30, 2012. An Associated General Contractors of America survey found 2012 funding for higher-education-related construction was up, but down for highway construction. CH2M Hill Cos. has been selected as an adviser on the construction of a high-speed-rail line in England. Former executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Christopher Ward, was appointed executive vice president of contractor Dragados USA.

This article focuses on a proposal from the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama to add 53 billion U.S. dollars in the continued development of high-speed passenger rail through 2017.

The article deals with the problems concerning the development of a U.S. high-speed-rail map. Following the November 2, 2010 elections, the governors of Wisconsin and Ohio pledged to stop work on railroad projects in their states, even though they received funds from the Department of Transportation. The incoming governor of Florida also vowed to cancer the Orlando-Tampa railroad project. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced on November 15, 2010 that he will soon discuss about reallocating the funds from Wisconsin and Ohio.

The article discusses federal funding issue which is critical in tapping private investment for high-speed rail projects in Florida. It states that expectations of the private sector are high on the investment opportunities presented by high-speed rail in the U.S., particularly the Tampa-Orlando line. An important step, however, in attracting private-sector investment for the projects is said to be providing investment security via assured federal funding.

The article discusses the problems surrounding engineers and suppliers in relation to the automation of high-speed rail projects in the U.S. It cites the need for engineers and suppliers to choose from a range of technologies, methods and financial models for a certain project. Some of the dilemma surrounding engineers and suppliers include how to integrate high-speed rail routes into the existing infrastructure and what specific needs should be addressed in a certain project.

The article reports on Italy's newest section of high-speed railroad which will be handed to the state's operator Ferrovie Italiane for testing. The 5.6-kilometer Novara-Milan section of the Turin-Venice line will be operational in December 2009. The consortiums handling turnkey construction of the section as well as the new Bologna-Florence line, are led by Impregilo S.p.A., Milan. The developer was Rete Ferroviaria Italiana S.p.A. (RFI).

The article presents comments on the proposed high-speed rail transportation from Las Vegas, Nevada to Los Angeles, California. One reader states that magnetic levitation (maglev) is better than high-speed rail. Another reader says maglev is more expensive than high-speed rail. According to one reader, there is no transportation mode on earth which is faster or needs less energy per seat than high-speed rail or maglev.

The article reports that the Pooled Money Investment Board has approved a loan for California. It states that the loan will be used to pay some 80 engineering consultants that have worked on its planned high-speed rail line stretching between Sacramento and San Diego. A list of the engineering firms that have not been paid since October 2008 is presented. Mehdi Morshed, executive director for the California High-Speed Rail Authority, states that without the loan, he would have to issue stop-work orders.

The article reports that proponents of building magnetically levitated (maglev) train routes in the United States are looking to China for lessons learned. The U.S. maglev program has languished since federal deployment in 1998, with environmental impact studies under way or planned on few projects. During that time, China built a $1-billion, 18-mile maglev line connecting Shanghai's Pudong area with its airport. Chinese officials shared their analysis of the Shanghai project at a U.S. Maglev Coalition seminar in Washington, D.C., in May 2006. Observers hope U.S. lawmakers will take notice of the Chinese efforts.

Editorial. Comments on the conference at the High Speed Ground Transportation Association in the U.S. Features of the conference; Attendance of government officials; Issues on the high-speed rail movement.

Reports on the government of Netherlands' signing of a memorandum of understanding with Infraspeed, a multi-billion dollar Fluor Daniel-led joint venture, to finance, procure and maintain all systems on a high-speed rail line. Building of track on the grade-separated line from near Amsterdam to Hazeldonk on the Belgian border in the Netherlands.

Presents news items concerning the construction industry in different countries. Amount of steel consumed by the industry in the United States; Awarding of the contract to design, build, operate and maintain a rapid transit line in South Korea to a consortium led by Canada's Bombardier Transportation and South Korea's Kumho Industrial Co.; Great Britain-based Kvaerner E&C's contract for a mining project in Bolivia.

Reports that in the United States, high-speed ground transportation is increasing, with reference to the 15th annual High Speed Ground Transportation Association conference in Chicago, Illinois. Comments made by Jolene Molitoris, head of the United States Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration; Indication of the consideration for the revamp of the transportation spending bill.