WHSRA

Unlike other high-speed rail associations, the WHSRA was founded by the Metropolitan Planning Organizations, (MPO), from the major transportation hubs in four states. Federal highway and transit statutes require, as a condition for spending federal highway or transit funds in urbanized areas, the designation of MPOs, which have responsibility for planning, programming and coordination of federal highway and transit investments. The planning authorities who are members of the WHSRA are prepared to use their planning expertise and resources to determine desirable high-speed intercity rail routes and integrate these routes into their respective urban transit plans. Working with the state departments of transportation in their respective jurisdictions, the members hope to create a blue print for eventual high-speed rail links between the five major metropolitan areas and the rest of the nation's rail and transportation system... The Western High-Speed Rail Alliance exists for the purpose..

Also known as: Western High Speed Rail Alliance