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Americans may finally start seeing high-speed rail lines popping up across the country as a number of projects are starting to take shape. But as projects move forward, several critics say the costs of the rail systems outweigh its benefits.

We’re analyzing reaction to the high-speed rail projects from the International Business Times, CNN, Forbes and The New Republic.

The Obama administration allocated $8 billion for the development of the nationwide high-speed railway system funded by the stimulus package. The Department of Transportation says it has received 20 funding applications from 10 states for high-speed rail development, and San Francisco recently began construction on the first high-speed rail station in America.

A professor at the University of Pennsylvania told the International Business Times, rail transport, like schools, police, universities and libraries, is an essential service needed by any advanced country.

"The rest of world is building these rail networks and we lag far behind. If you're going to have a competitive economy in the 21st century, I think we really need to move ahead with this project."

Opponents to the high-speed rails say the projects, like the 43 billion dollars needed for the proposed California lines, are too costly. Adrian Moore of the public policy think tank "The Reason Foundation" says American high-speed rails could never make enough money to support themselves.

MOORE: “The plan for the high-speed rail in California right now requires in order to work that it be the fastest train ever built in the world, the most cost-effective train in the world and the highest ridership of any high-speed train in the world.”

WIAN: “And that’s not realistic?”

MOORE: “No, more than Europe, more than Japan, more than China? That’s crazy. “ (CNN)

Forbes editor-in-chief Steve Forbes agrees the rail-systems are too expensive. He says many of the proposed lines would not even be faster than driving.

“Would this ridiculously expensive train across Florida be worth it? No, the train ride will last just under an hour and yet driving takes only 90 minutes. And that train hour doesn’t count getting to the Tampa station, parking your car, and waiting for the train itself. Nor the wee problem of what you do when you get to Orlando. The area’s sprawling. The passenger will have to take a taxi, or bus, or rent a car to get wherever he or she wants to go.”

A writer for The New Republic disagrees, and says upgrading the county’s infrastructure has been crucial for spurring growth and development during times of economic troubles.

“If the government is truly looking for a shovel-ready infrastructure project to invest in that will create short-term jobs across the country while laying a foundation for lasting prosperity, high-speed rail works perfectly. It is central to the redevelopment of cities and the growth of mega-regions and will do more than anything to wean us from our dependency on cars.

So what do you think? Should the United States be building a high-speed rail system or is it too costly for its benefits?