A new nationwide high speed rail system could be on the horizon.

Thursday, the Obama administration made the call for the country to quickly make it happen.

The proposed route would take high speed rail through the Carolinas with stops in Columbia, Charlotte and Raleigh.

The president said at a news conference Thursday the country can't afford not to invest in a major upgrade to rail travel.

He said it's a long term project, but the time to start is now.

$8 billion of the $787 billion stimulus plan is earmarked for high speed rail.