Congress is heading towards a decisive, historic moment on investing in high speed rail for America. But the outcome is far from certain. In the next few weeks, Congress will decide whether or not to give the Department of Transportation $1.2 billion or $4 billion on high speed rail for the next year. $8 billion was allocated for planning and implementing clean, efficient, high speed train travel in the economic stimulus earlier this year, and with another $4 billion, we’d be making a historic $12 billion investment in high speed rail.Tell Congress to keep $4 billion in the bill at www.fourbillion.com

UPDATE: Victory! For whatever reason, Sen. Bond decided not to offer his amendment and it will not come to the floor for a vote. Thanks to all of you who took action by writing or calling your Senators. In the last 24 hours we beat back a dangerous anti-bike/ped amendment from Senator Coburn. Now we [...]

When the stimulus passed in February, $8 billion for high-speed rail was added at the 25th hour, at the behest of the Obama administration. In the days since, states have scrambled to prepare their proposals to receive a share of the money, which will be distributed via a process of competitive grants. With states competing for their share of the $8 billion to start developing and building high-speed corridors, competition was sure to be tough. But did anyone expect this many applications for the funds?

This video has made the rounds, but here’s what 357 mph looks like on a TGV train in France. From a 2007 speed test. Pay careful attention at about the 1:40 mark for a sense of perspective as it passes beneath an overpass. Via www.kottke.org

Virginia’s next governor needs to be focused first and foremost on the state’s struggling transportation system. (Washington Post) Vice President Joe Biden says states need to forge ahead on building rail. (Reuters) The Christian Science Monitor argues for a gas tax increase. Blogger Ryan Avent calls out noted anti-transit advocate Randal O’Toole. (Streetsblog)

Transportation secretary Ray LaHood travels to Spain, and likes what he sees in its high-speed rail system. (Associated Press) National Journal‘s transportation blog asks a panel of experts whether its time for the feds to help out with funding for public transportation operating expenses. As GM seeks bankruptcy protection, car industry insiders wonders if Americans [...]

The Fox Business Channel had Petra Todorovich of the Regional Plan Association and America 2050 — both T4 America partners — in the studio a couple of weeks ago to talk about the prospects for high speed rail in America. Does it make sense? Would it work? She makes the solid case for high speed rail in the 11 American megaregions where high speed rail “could really work,” pointing primarily to the need to invest in a diverse transportation network in those regions to help America stay economically competitive with the rest of the world.

President Obama’s remarks from the press conference this morning have been posted on the White House blog. In his remarks, joined by Vice President Biden and Transportation Secretary LaHood, Obama appealed to our national pride and pointed to the benefits that high-speed rail would bring to all Americans: There’s no reason why we can’t do [...]

President Obama made headlines this morning by presenting a blueprint for creating a high-speed rail network in the United States. By articulating this vision, the administration has put to rest any doubts that it is ready to line up with the American people in connecting our cities and regions with a 21st century network of passenger rail that will make us globally competitive and help us rebuild our economy for the long haul.

From Wired Magazine via Aaron of Streetsblog comes this amazing map and video that shows a day of air travel over North America. Using data from the Federal Aviation Administration and a service called FlightView that tracks airline travel each day, Artist Aaron Koblin created this Google map that shows 24 hours of airline travel on August 12, 2008. What does this have to do with rail travel?