High-speed rail has become a staple mode of transportation in several countries, including Germany, France, Italy, China, Japan, and Switzerland. Fortunately, it appears that this efficient mode of travel will soon make its way to Texas.
Texas Central has made significant progress in the planning phase and resolved landownership disputes regarding a high-speed railway connecting Dallas and Houston. Currently, the journey between these cities typically requires a 2-hour flight, a 4-hour drive, or a 5-hour bus ride.
However, once operational, the high-speed rail is projected to travel at speeds of 200 miles per hour, reducing the travel time to a mere 90 minutes. Services are expected to depart every half hour during peak times and every hour during off-peak hours.
“If we are going to add more high-speed rail to this country, the Dallas to Houston Corridor is a compelling proposition and offers great potential,” Amtrak Senior Vice President of High-Speed Rail Development Programs Andy Byford said.
“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.”
The project isn’t assured yet, but despite years of challenges highlighted by Engineering News Record as “financial setbacks, leadership issues, and legal woes,” it is gaining momentum once more. The plan now includes allocating 50% of the 236 miles of rails to viaducts, addressing landowners’ worries. The Texas Supreme Court has previously affirmed Texas Central’s eminent domain authority for their proposed route.
“In big complex infrastructure projects, it’s better to have issues during the planning phase” than construction, Angel Pena, vice president for rail and transit at the development firm STV’s Texas/Mountain region. “Planning is the most challenging part of the process.”
Amtrak and Texas Central have jointly applied for various federal programs to support further studies and design efforts for the prospective Dallas to Houston rail segment. These programs include the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure Safety and Improvements (CRISI) grant program, the Corridor Identification and Development program, and the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail (FSP-National) grant program.
These applications are crucial for Texas Central as they seek to mitigate the escalating costs of the project, which are currently estimated to be approximately $33 billion.
Texas, being larger than many countries and predominantly flat in terrain, presents an ideal canvas for high-speed rail development. While the Midwest is often associated with such rail infrastructure, the expansive landscape of Texas offers a unique opportunity for efficient and enjoyable travel. Experiencing the countryside pass by in serene comfort at speeds exceeding 200 miles per hour is an unparalleled journey for those yet to encounter it.
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