Plano North | September 2023

Transportation

BY ANNA LOTZ

Texas Central, Amtrak begin talks to advance high-speed rail

Texas Central and Amtrak ocials are exploring a partnership to potentially advance the 240- mile high-speed rail project proposed to connect Houston and Dallas, Amtrak ocials announced in an Aug. 9 news release. The high-speed rail project connecting Dallas to Houston, which was announced in 2014 by Texas Central, was set to be operational several times between 2023-2026, according to prior reporting. 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

development 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.

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