Megaregions
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Download: (Hi-Res TIF) (PNG Image)This map was developed for America 2050's high-speed rail planning charrette, "Connecting Cascadia: A High-Speed Rail Vision for the Pacific Northwest." The map synthesizes current land use patterns, transportation networks, and regional plans along the Cascadia Corridor from Eugene, OR to Vancouver, BC. The map was developed to help stakeholders consider the corresponding investments and strategies needed for land use, connecting transportation, station-area planning, economic development, and landscape conservation, in order to leverage investments in high-speed rail.
Full-color, wall-sized print outs of this map on quality paper (42" x 84") can be ordered for $100 by contacting Petra@rpa.org.
Earlier this month America 2050 sponsored a two-day planning charrette in Portland, Oregon with stakeholders along the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor - stretching from Vancouver, British Columbia to Eugene, Oregon to develop a vision for an integrated Cascadia megaregion enabled by high-speed rail.
Building on America 2050's research on Where High-Speed Rail Works Best the workshop sought to explore the economic, land use, urban design, and transportation strategies and investments necessary to fully leverage federal, state, provincial, and local investments in high-speed rail in this binational corridor. The workshop was an opportunity to broaden the focus of regional leaders on how high-speed rail can help advance larger goals for Cascadia as a more interconnected, sustainable, and prosperous megaregion.
To learn more, you can download the detailed briefing book of background information prepared for workshop participants. You can also access America 2050's original map of the Cascadia megaregion prepared for the workshop, which synthesizes transportation, land use, and the regional planning strategies of the entire megaregion on the America 2050 Maps Page (scroll to the bottom of the page.) A summary of workshop proceedings and next steps will be posted here soon.
Last month, eleven northeastern states and Amtrak submitted a planning proposal to the Federal Railroad Administration. The proposal seeks federal funding for an $18.8 million four-phased planning study.
The study will explore investments needed to meet travel demand in the Northeast Corridor, including both incremental improvements and investments in dedicated tracks for true high-speed service. This proposal, the result of collaboration among 11 states and Amtrak to plan for the future of the nation's most congested intercity and commuter rail corridor, represents an historic collaboration and a necessary step to bring the Northeast's rail infrastructure into the 21st century.
The proposal strikes a needed balance between short term necessity and ambitious long term planning, and is worthy of support by anyone who cares about rail service in the Northeast. A decision by the FRA about whether to fund this three-year planning process is expect by the middle of July.
The complete proposal can be found here: www.njtransit.com/highspeedNEC
Click here for more information on speakers and the agenda and here to register.
Amtrak and the Northeastern states are about to embark on a new round of ambitious planning for upgraded rail service in the corridor. This PowerPoint presentation prepared by Regional Plan Association provides context for this process with a brief history of planning efforts on the corridor over the past four decades and a snapshot of where the corridor is today.
It can be downloaded and used a resource by Business Alliance members or other interested parties.
The report was featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer on August 9.







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