Bill could lead to high-speed rail service to Lincoln and Omaha

If passed, the DOT would have $500k to do a study on bringing the commuter service to Nebraska's largest cities.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – America has been slow to adopt high-speed rail. There’s only one active service, and it’s on the East Coast. However, if one bill in the Nebraska legislature works out, we could be getting something here. Senator Adam Morfeld’s bill could kick start the whole process.

“Before we can seriously make any investments, we have to have a study in terms of the feasibility, also the economic impact, the ridership, and then the location of where it would go”, explains Senator Morfeld. “This is the first very important step to making this a reality.”

This step is a big investment on its own, $500,000 to the Nebraska Department of Transportation to conduct that study. If it works, though, there are some big possibilities.

“It’s going to get people back and forth in a really fast way, of course”, Morfeld says, “and make it much more convenient for commuters, and those looking to enjoy entertainment, and the arts, and maybe even see their grandkids; folks that can’t drive anymore.”

This isn’t the first time Senator Morfeld has introduced this idea, but a few factors are boosting his confidence in this latest attempt.

“I think this is the right time and the right place for it, particularly with the federal funds, but then also our revenue situation, and the fact that people are looking for exciting new projects to help grow Nebraska”, says Morfeld.

The bill is currently in the Appropriations Committee. If it passes, it takes effect immediately, sending a half-million dollars to the DOT for a feasibility study.