U.S. High-Speed Rail Challenges

Significant investments in high-speed rail have the potential to reshape transportation in the U.S. In 2023, the Biden administration allocated a historic $8.2 billion for railroad network improvements, including two high-speed rail corridors. Several high-speed rail projects are under development across the U.S., though outdated infrastructure that can't support high-speed service remains a critical challenge to high-speed rail implementation.

Aside from its environmental benefits, high-speed rail can also stimulate economic growth across various sectors. Projects like the California High-Speed Rail and the Brightline West, which will connect Las Vegas and Southern California, are driving economic growth with strong union worker participation. However, the construction of new high-speed rail infrastructure in the U.S. is significantly more expensive and often takes far longer to complete than in Europe and other countries. Moreover, in 2025, President Trump's administration announced the termination of a federal grant for the high-speed rail line between Dallas and Houston, stating that the project must proceed without federal assistance.