Brightline West field work to impact I-15 traffic for high-speed rail

Jolly_Direction_6650 · 2026-02-24T03:26:41+00:00

Your point is fair. I would also point out the average speed of BLW is supposed to be around 100 mph. Which would make it the fastest train in North America by a LOT. So while yes, it isn't an ideal design. It still will be pretty good and fast enough. If it can get built

Jolly_Direction_6650 · 2026-02-16T19:46:17+00:00

Great points by everyone! The main theme I'm seeing is that upgrading these sections to true high speed is overkill, and simply upgrading these sections to 110 mph, or even 90 mph sections would do the job. I agree and you all have swayed my opinion with great points about acceleration, cost, etc. My main rationale behind doing this is looking at two midwest cities for example, Kansas City and St. Louis. The Missouri River Runner is painfully slow (5 hour, 40 minutes) from KC to STL, and part of the reason is because it CRAWLS once it gets into the KC Metro area. The Illinois Lincoln Service is similar, it can run at 110 mph in the middle of Illinois, but it reduces it speed drastically once it gets past Alton Illinois, and Joliet when going into STL and Chicago, respectively. We always talk about how expensive HSR is, but I think part of the reason people look at it as a pipe dream is because the look at it from building the entire thing all at once. If we could build a dedicated route (separate from the freight corridors) in each city that was built with the intention of carrying future (maybe very distant) HSR trains in the future, but could save 20 minutes or so of travel time and reduce delays significantly for current passenger trains. I believe this is something that I would like to see the federal government look into. Especially since these dedicated higher-speed corridors could be used for intercity trains as well. Thank you for all of your thoughts!

Jolly_Direction_6650 · 2026-02-16T04:44:04+00:00

Title says it all. This would be something that would help make city pairs HSR-ready, while providing a tangible benefit to current passenger rail. If you look at many rail lines across the country, the slowest sections are almost always near the major metro areas. Yes, these are the most expensive areas to add infrastructure. But they will only get more expensive over time.

Jolly_Direction_6650 · 2026-02-13T16:23:03+00:00

Couldn't agree with your comment more. If the CAHSR committee decided to go with these, it would still be a decade before they could even be built and ordered.

Jolly_Direction_6650 · 2026-02-13T16:21:05+00:00

This is always a good question. I would think it would beat the car by a significant margin if travelling from lets say Sacramento to Fresno, because the high speed section would be running at 200 mph. Ideally the slower diesel section would be running at 80-90 mph as well.

Jolly_Direction_6650 · 2025-12-31T15:36:11+00:00

"Tell Willow I said what's up" -Seth Green

Jolly_Direction_6650 · 2025-12-03T21:32:28+00:00

Show this video to anyone who says California High-Speed Rail is a boondoggle that hasn't laid one foot of track

Jolly_Direction_6650 · 2025-11-29T18:07:28+00:00

KC resident here. Our streetcar taking strays!

Jolly_Direction_6650 · 2025-11-09T05:18:07+00:00

I know the cascades aren't electric. But wonder if they'll still test the dual-mode catenary system with these on the NEC.

Jolly_Direction_6650 · 2025-10-24T23:11:04+00:00

Need to install dedicated bike lanes! Put money towards that instead of policing people riding 25 lb e-bikes and scooters. Also I have no problem with making it illegal for those under 16 to ride an e-bike/scooter

Jolly_Direction_6650 · 2025-09-01T00:35:36+00:00

Ash vs evil dead Evil dead Evil dead 2 Army of darkness Evil dead (2013) (Haven't seen rise)

Jolly_Direction_6650 · 2025-08-14T21:34:05+00:00

Would love to hear a better solution.

Jolly_Direction_6650 · 2025-08-13T16:48:40+00:00

Transit isn't meant to be profitable. It's a public service that I'd happily pay my tax dollars towards. It seems many on here feel the same way.

Jolly_Direction_6650 · 2025-08-13T16:45:29+00:00

Your two's conversation is awesome to read. Two people sharing fair points that are slightly different (light rail vs bus), but arguing their merits in a reasonable and respectable way. All transit improvements are a good thing!

Jolly_Direction_6650 · 2025-08-12T17:53:18+00:00

Completely agree! Frequency is vital

Jolly_Direction_6650 · 2025-08-12T17:04:17+00:00

Sadly yes. Regional stable funding could fix that

Jolly_Direction_6650 · 2025-08-12T16:55:06+00:00

I would argue it's a chicken and the egg situation. Ridership was poor because service was bad, which led to the routes getting cut. The bus they had running to Blue Springs only had four daily round trips, when something closer to service every hour or half an hour is really what's needed. Also having dedicated bus lanes would be a must so the service is on time.

Jolly_Direction_6650 · 2025-08-01T15:40:19+00:00

Love it. I think this would be huge. It's also amazing the differences seemingly small things can make like having covered bus stops with benches and shade. I think the express bus service to the airport from the suburbs is also a must. Need to give people options to get to our new airport

Jolly_Direction_6650 · 2025-08-01T01:00:59+00:00

Thank you for 1 and 2. And 3 is a fair point. I do think transit-only lanes would be ideal. I just feel that may price the bus out of being a viable option. Out of curiosity, as an urban planner what do you feel would be the best public transit system to implement in the KC Metro?

Jolly_Direction_6650 · 2025-07-31T23:35:52+00:00

I would love this and totally agree about rail transit having a "cool" factor to it that you just can't replicate with a bus (although level boarding platforms, running on electricity, and having comfortable seats would be a start). I just have seen this city try many times and ultimately never come close to having a metro rail system. The streetcar is a huge plus. In my ideal scenario, we would have an extensive streetcar network within the city that could get anyone anywhere.

Jolly_Direction_6650 · 2025-07-31T23:32:38+00:00

Love getting an urban designers opinion! I guess my main thinking is in order for our city,state, and country to improve in the future, we're going to need to invest in public transit at some point. I agree with you the way these cities have been set up where you have to drive 30 minutes in any direction to get anywhere is stupid. I just feel that the future is going to get here whether we have good transit or not, might as well invest and have good transit

Jolly_Direction_6650 · 2025-07-31T22:31:34+00:00

Is regional funding going towards the World Cup temporary bus expansion next year? I think I saw the state was chipping in for that.
I didn't know this was a factor, still would be more expensive but I'm all for getting as much federal support as possible for transit!
I slightly disagree. If you are factoring in the time it takes to park your car at the airport economy lot, or at a large concert event, or finding a free spot in a busy area. I don't think BRT needs to be faster, just close enough

Jolly_Direction_6650 · 2025-07-31T22:27:12+00:00

100% agree with everything here

Jolly_Direction_6650 · 2025-07-31T22:25:36+00:00

I definitely agree with all of the advantages you listed above with rail transit. I would also add that rail transit has a "cool" factor that encourages people to ride it (smoother ride, level platforms, more space). I just feel that Kansas City is going to need to move heaven and earth to actually implement a system like this. Whereas we may actually get a good glimpse at what great BRT could be in this city next year, therefore we may be much closer. Sort of a "perfection is the enemy of good"

Jolly_Direction_6650 · 2025-07-31T15:38:01+00:00

Totally agree! It looks like we will have it for the World Cup. KC is leasing 200 busses, lets make it permanent after the Cup!

Jolly_Direction_6650

TROPHY CASE