U.S. Rail Projects Advance Despite Trump Funding Cuts
In spite of the Trump administration's attempts to reduce funding for passenger rail, significant train initiatives in the U.S. are moving forward. The administration eliminated $4 billion designated for California's high-speed rail, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy labeling it as wasteful. Nevertheless, contractors are making headway on projects totaling tens of billions, as funding was obtained prior to Trump's presidency. Amtrak's NextGen Acela has improved travel times in the Northeast Corridor, reaching speeds of 160 mph. The $16 billion Hudson Tunnel project persists amid funding disagreements. New York has issued a $1.02 billion subway contract, and Chicago has commenced work on the $5.7 billion Red Line Extension. California's High Speed Rail Authority is pursuing private funding for a $2.4 billion extension, while Brightline West's expenses have escalated to $21.5 billion.
Key facts
- Trump administration killed $4 billion for California high-speed rail
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the project a waste of taxpayer money
- Amtrak's NextGen Acela tops out at 160 mph between Washington and Boston
- Hudson Tunnel project ($16 billion) continues after court blocked funding withholding
- New York awarded $1.02 billion contract for subway extension
- Chicago's Red Line Extension ($5.7 billion) broke ground in April
- Los Angeles opened first section of D Line subway extension ($2.4 billion) in May
- Congressional bill proposes $205 billion for high-speed rail over five years
- California signed co-development deal with Momentum Alliance Partners
- Brightline West cost grew from $12 billion to $21.5 billion
- U.S. added 3.7 miles of subway and 13 miles of light rail in 2025
- Second Avenue Subway extension costs $7 billion for two miles
- California high-speed rail has $87 billion funding gap
- Acela speed falls short of 186 mph high-speed rail threshold
- Autonomous vehicle funding tripled in 2026, Waymo raised $16 billion
Entities
Institutions
- Trump administration
- Transportation Department
- Amtrak
- Hudson Tunnel project
- California High Speed Rail Authority
- Momentum Alliance Partners
- Brightline West
- Urban Institute
- Waymo
Locations
- United States
- California
- Northeast Corridor
- Washington
- Boston
- New Jersey
- New York
- Chicago
- Los Angeles
- Las Vegas
- Southern California
- Madrid
- Seoul
- San Francisco
Sources
- Quartz —