Trump’s new affordability push runs on highways, rail

The Trump administration is introducing a new proposal that aims to transform America's highway and rail lines into multi-use utility corridors, capable of hosting essential infrastructure such as transmission wires, fiber optic lines, and water pipelines. Dubbed "America's Great Corridors of Commerce," the plan is described by the Transportation Department as a "voluntary nationwide opportunity."

The administration hopes that this initiative will help lower energy costs for Americans and fuel industrial growth across generations.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that the plan is a response to the need to lower costs and remove government interference. By leveraging "categorical environmental exemptions," the proposal seeks to expedite the development process and reduce project costs. The administration believes that using existing transportation land will enable quicker construction and minimize opposition from local communities and zoning authorities.

This new proposal follows the cancellation of multiple major transmission projects by the Trump administration, including a $4.9 billion conditional loan commitment and three other transmission corridor proposals. The idea is to provide an alternative to those cancelled projects by utilizing highway and railroad-affiliated land instead.

The administration argues that the proposal will help the United States stay ahead in technology development by reducing costs and avoiding lengthy reviews. This move is seen as a way to compete with China, which has been ahead in building infrastructure like high-voltage transmission lines.