Reignited interest in the high-speed railway that many thought was dead, has come about as a result of $500,000 from U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration. This amount is a drop in the bucket of the 2020 estimated cost of $30 billion for the plan.
The vision began in the 1980’s to join Dallas and Houston via a “bullet train.”
This interest from the Federal Government is enough for proponents of the project to hope that, with the help of bipartisan infrastructure law, it could become a reality as early as 2045.
Many hurdles would have to be navigated to make this a reality.
Chief among the obstacles are the landowners who would be impacted if the bullet train goes through their property.
“We still have a lot of folks that feel very passionate about protecting their property – some of which has been in their family for generations,” states Waller County Judge Trey Duhon, President of Texans Against High-Speed Rail. The organization is comprised of property owners, business owners, and elected officials.
“We are still here. We’ve come this far and we certainly are not going to lay down now, and we will continue to advocate for those property owners,” Judge Duhon continued.
Money to fund the project is another factor. Millions of dollars have already been expended in the failed endeavor between Dallas and Houston.
This time around, the plan is to add Ft. Worth to the mix. Essentially, one could board in Ft. Worth, go to Dallas and then on the Houston.
Amtrack also announced in August that it is exploring a partnership with Texas Central on the project.
Unlike the Dallas to Houston project, 90% of the land between Ft. Worth and Dallas is not privately owned. However, the 10% that is may find West Dallas residents out of a home.
Raul Reyes, Jr., President of West Dallas Neighboring Group told the Dallas News that he is concern about eminent domain taking owner’s property leaving many without the means to purchase a new home.
However, Dallas City Council member, Omar Narvaez who represents West Dallas and is a member of the Government Regional Transportation Council, has stated, “We can work out any pending concerns.”
Other obstacles in the way include that the Federal Surface Transportation Board must approve construction, and it has not done so yet.
Advantages, in addition to getting to the three cities much faster, are said to be environmental and job growth.
Texas Central indicates that 100,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions would be eliminated.
According to Andy Kunz, President and CEO of the U.S. High-Speed Rail Association, the mode of transportation could help decarbonize the transportation sector.
After the 2020 major power outage, the issue of electric energy has come into play. The train system would require the equivalent of approximately 291,400 homes usage. For prospective, there are 296,101 homes in El Paso County.
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Ranchers Association fear a detrimental impact on cattle ranchers who live on the route. In some cases, ranchers’ property would be divided on each side of the rail, cutting them off from cattle with crossovers being few and far between, as well as being very narrow.
It remains to be seen if the high-speed railway will come to be a reality.
Information sources: Dallas News, Texas Scoreboard, and internet article.
By Freelance Reporter, Mary McDonald
