Choosing Mass Transit, Minimizing Road Growth
As Midwestern communities continue to grow, public officials propose new roads to alleviate increased traffic congestion. Unfortunately, studies have shown that building new roads increases rather than decreases the amount of traffic by allowing more commuters to choose driving over mass transit and by increasing urban sprawl.
ELPC is working to promote the availability of mass transit options, encourage the repair of existing roads, and prevent the construction of unnecessary roads which inevitably results in a diminished quality of life for residents.
Bringing High Speed Rail to the Midwest
In an era of $4/gallon gasoline, expressway congestion at all hours, airport capacity constraints, and a shrinking pool of rural transportation choices, the Midwest needs improved passenger rail service now more than ever.
With ten major cities within a 400-mile radius of Chicago, the Midwest represents the nation’s greatest opportunity to develop high speed rail. A regional high speed rail network would significantly reduce traffic congestion, travel time, air pollution, and urban sprawl. And at 10% of the cost of constructing new highways, a high speed rail network with its hub in Chicago just makes sense.
ELPC is working to develop a Midwest high speed rail network that will be good for the environment, create jobs and spur economic development. The high speed rail network would provide fast, modern, comfortable, and convenient new transportation options and will reduce our reliance on auto and air travel. This “Midwest Metroliner” would use modern new railcars on upgraded existing track and cut train travel times between the major Midwestern cities to be competitive on a door-to-door basis with air travel.
Work has already begun to make high speed rail a reality. Nine Midwestern state Departments of Transportation have embraced this vision and are working to implement it. Over 125 miles of track between Springfield, Illinois and Chicago is currently being upgraded for high speed service. Wisconsin has completed its environmental studies for new high speed service between Madison and Milwaukee. Michigan hopes to reduce travel time between Chicago and Detroit this year.
The Midwest high speed rail network aims to deliver new, modern convenient inter-city transportation options for Midwest travel; new and increased employment opportunities; increased economic development opportunities from pulling together the regional economy; and less pollution from cars and planes. High speed trains are three times as energy efficient as cars and six times as efficient as planes. This is one of the leading “sustainable development” projects in the nation, and ELPC is pleased to be playing a leading role in its design and implementation.
Read about additional high speed rail benefits.
