High-Speed Rail and New Ideas – How about some Funding?

Someone requested new environmental studies for the northeast rail corridor, and additional funding hinges on the findings of that study.  That will take, oh, ten years?  In the meantime, some students at Penn have put together a proposal to revamp the whole idea of high speed rail in the most heavily traveled corridor.  Details here.  Estimated cost $98 billion.  Estimated benefit: $168 billion.  I don’t think that benefit estimate includes how many cars this will take off the road, how many fewer planes will make the trip.  How many fewer accidents will occur.  But, Boston to Washington in 3-1/2 hours?  I think that’s a great idea.