WASHINGTON, April 16 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama announced plans for a high-speed rail system Thursday, saying $8 billion in stimulus funds has been set aside for the effort.
High-speed rail connecting cities and opening up economic opportunities "has been happening for decades. ... It's being done. It's just not being done here," Obama said when outlining his plan. Countries such as France, Spain, China and Japan have demonstrated the success of high-speed transit systems.