Not so fast on high speed rail
President Obama and Gov. Quinn have been touting the high speed rail system as a way to stimulate the economy. Neither Obama, nor Quinn nor any politician has reviewed the logistics needed for high speed rail in the United States, let alone Illinois.
High speed rail requires its own roadbed and tracks to avoid conflicts with other passenger and freight trains. The roadbed must be elevated so there are no constrictions with any streets in cities, highways, rural roads and other railroad tracks. The layout of the roadbed must be as straight as possible without any curves or dips. The rails must be welded so vibration is limited.
The most efficient use of high speed rail is not to have stops from origin to destination in under four hours. If stops are required, then the minimum distance is 150 miles. Quinn's proposal of 11 stops from Chicago to St. Louis makes Illinois' high speed rail a faster Amtrak.
High speed rail requires electricity. Generally, the electrification is supplied with overhead wires to reduce weather disruptions. Does the nation or Illinois have enough electric power grids to provide the necessary energy? Coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear power provide the electric power; where are the environmentalists?
Politicians want the impact of high speed rail stopping in their districts and environmentalists are looking for the next snail darter. Impact studies will take longer than the actual building of any high speed rail.
High speed rail may seem urgent but to spend billions of dollars on projects that may never be developed or completed is a complete waste of taxpayer's money, now and in the future.
Jack McCabe
Batavia