Opinion: "We Can Usher A New Era For NY With High-Speed Rail"

[TTL News 308]

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New York State’s history of leading American transportation revolutions dates back to the 19th Century when we broke ground on the Erie Canal, and continued as our airports became among the first used for commercial travel. Later, the New York State Thruway linked us together from Buffalo to the Bronx.

In a post-pandemic era of workforce mobility, the stage is set for the Empire State to once again lead the nation by weaving regions together — this time through high-speed rail. An idea discussed for decades, what has changed is the combination of a new normal in worksite location, demand for climate action and the desire of our new president to pass long-overdue national infrastructure/job creation legislation.

As people discover that they can reside in affordable areas and work remotely, businesses are thus incentivized to expand in regions that have a talented workforce and a lower cost of living. New York’s “Big 5” upstate cities of Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany and Yonkers meet this new normal. High-speed rail that connects regions beyond the Metro-North line would be a significant factor in stimulating our state’s recovery through workforce attraction and retention.

Imagine your permanent home being in Western New York, the Mohawk Valley or the Hudson Valley. A short trip to a rail station will have you heading at high-speed upstate or downstate at 90 miles-per-hour, working remotely all the while. Tourists would be making similar trips, as would students attending Upstate colleges.

Shifting our mentality around what an Upstate business commute looks like is vital to our economic development strategy. Our roads need fewer cars on them, but all our cities and towns still need people in them to be healthy.

 

See the rest here.

[Chris 2,162]

I've seen some saying how great this would be for our region, but when I see this map, I don't get a sense of much benefit:

[Hal 341]

I agree , once again the Southern Tier is left out of the loop ...literally !! 

[Adam 373]

how insulting and wasteful, a rail line that basically mimics the path of the interstate! imagine a benefit, and cost savings if the line actua;;y went in a diagonalthrough the SOuthern Tier?

and whats more, if you look deeper, the lionshare of funding is for ...........NYC area lines and stations

 

Edited April 22, 2021 by Adam