Governor Gavin Newsom of California has announced the states intention to create a zero-emission, fully interconnected rail and transit network by 2050. Under the so-called State Rail Plan, every region of the state will be linked with a zero-emission rail network, spanning intercity, regional, and local transit systems.According to state officials, the plan will require investment of $310 billion from local, state, federal, and private funding, with an estimated economic return of over $540 billion by 2050. Officials also expect the project will see rail and transit constitute 20% of all miles travelled in California by 2050, with todays figure standing at only 2%.Proposed State Rail Plan network. image credit: Office of the Governor of CaliforniaOur vision is simple: by 2050, every Californian should be able to choose rail as a way to get to their destination, near or far, Governor Newsom said about the plan. Our rail plan is ambitious, but as the worlds fifth largest econ...