Transportation
BY ANNA LOTZ
Texas Central, Amtrak begin talks to advance high-speed rail
Texas Central and Amtrak o cials are exploring a partnership to potentially advance the 240-mile high-speed rail project proposed to connect Hous- ton and Dallas, Amtrak o cials announced. The high-speed rail project connecting Dallas to Houston, which was announced in 2014 by Texas Central, was set to be operational in each city by 2023, 2025 and in 2026, according to prior report- ing. However, construction has not yet begun on the route. Two-minute impact Amtrak’s announcement states the two entities are evaluating a partnership to further determine the project’s viability. “We believe many of the country’s biggest and fastest-growing metropolitan areas, like Houston and Dallas, deserve more high-quality high-speed, intercity rail service,” said Andy Byford, Amtrak senior vice president of high-speed rail develop- ment programs, in the release.
The project is anticipated to: • Provide travelers a 90-minute route between Houston and Dallas • Complement long-distance service Zooming out Amtrak is developing a team focused on high- speed rail opportunities. It was not immediately clear how the collabora- tion between Texas Central and Amtrak is chang- ing with the August announcement. Texas Central and Amtrak have submitted applications to federal programs for grant funds. In their own words “A high-speed rail line would revolutionize transportation in our region, serve as a catalyst for economic growth, and enhance connectivity among Texas residents and businesses,” Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said in the release.
Texas Central’s proposed high-speed passenger rail will be modeled after Japanese shinkansen bullet trains.
COURTESY TEXAS CENTRAL
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