Shift Magazine - February 2022 - 22

Continued from Page 21
overburdened, " he said. " Both of them
are failing, and it makes it horrible for
everybody because we're missing that
other option. "
Since the advent of the Interstate
Highway System in the 1950s, federal
spending has historically favored roads,
and passengers have followed. Even the
$66 billion marked for rail in the legislation
enacted is dwarfed by the $110 billion
reserved for roads and bridges.
Over seven decades, similar funding
disparities between the modes has left
America - no surprise - with a transportation
system underpinned by roads
and driving.
" Here we are, 50 years later, and we're
still throwing nickels at rail and trillions on
highways, " Kunz said. " It really gets to
the point where we have to pull back and
look logically as a nation at how much
22 shift * february 2022
" Here we are, 50 years later,
and we're still throwing
nickels at rail and trillions on
highways. "
"
Andy Kunz, CEO, US High
Speed Rail Association
we're investing in our future, and how
much mobility we're getting for every
dollar we're spending. Right now, it's
diminishing returns. "
Harnish takes perhaps a more nuanced
view on the longtime funding disparities.
Funding is one aspect. Consistency in
funding is another that has borne more
reliable and predictable results.
" On the highway side, we have
longstanding formulas that assume
driving will increase and the planning
process always assumes there will be
money, " he said.
Passenger
rail has never had such a
foundation.
Not every rail advocate sees the
interstates as competition or an opportunity
lost. In Las Vegas and Southern
California, Brightline
intends
to
build
some of its route smack dab down the
middle of Interstate 15. Final permitting
is expected this year.
In that sense, the interstates are neither
a finished product nor competitor,
but perhaps a precursor.
" Roads and highways should become
the architectural renderings of how we
connect these cities, and we ought to
look at laying track in the middle or alongside
them, " Porritt said. " It would take
cars off the road. In a lot of cases, the
right-of-way issues are solved. Highways
of today represent an opportunity to put
tracks down. " n
Shift Magazine - February 2022

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