The WSJ has a good article up on the surge in railroad building and improvement throughout the United States, after many years of neglect.
After World War II, though, cars began wiping out passenger-train service. New interstate highways unleashed trucks as a freight competitor. By the 1970s, U.S. railroads were deep into a decline, other than adding new track to the coal fields of Wyoming.
The tide is starting to swing back after decades of overinvestment in highways and underinvestment in rail facilities. This article is about freight; now let's see the logical next step and get the Cross-Harbor Freight Tunnel back on New York's priority list.
We are witnessing a sea change in transportation modes; for 50 years and more, it has been all about trucks and automobiles. Now the tide is turning back to more efficient means. We need leadership that will have the courage to push boldly back into rail for freight and transit.
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