beautifulplanet
Lead Service Attendant
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2014
- Messages
- 337
Three of six public scoping meetings for Texas high-speed rail already took place, in Dallas (October 21), Corsicana (October 22), Teague (yesterday, October 23).
Three meetings are still coming up.
- in Bryan on October 27, see here:
http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/get-involved/about/hearings-meetings/rail/102714.html
- in Huntsville on October 28, see here:
http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/get-involved/about/hearings-meetings/rail/102814.html
- in Houston on October 29, see here:
http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/get-involved/about/hearings-meetings/rail/102914.html
Here is TCR's invitation to the meetings:
http://texascentral.com/lets-talk-join-us-to-discuss-bringing-high-speed-rail-to-texas/
To some, the press coverage about the past meetings might be interesting, as possible routes and stations for Texas high-speed rail are being discussed.
The detailed route maps can be found not on TCR's website, but on a special website for the environmental impact statement (EIS):
http://dallashoustonhsr.com/maps-and-pictures/
For example, there are the two alternatives selected for detailed evaluation:
Regarding station locations, many people seem to think that the stations should be at Union Station in Dallas, and in the downtown of Houston as well. That's why some people might be disappointed to hear that while a station could be in downtown Dallas, it won't be at Union Station, according to a statement by a TCR official to be found in an article in the Texas Tribune:
First Bullet Train Meeting Focuses on Station Locations
Oct. 21, 2014
By Aman Batheja
http://www.texastribune.org/2014/10/21/first-bullet-train-meeting-station-locations/
Another very informative report comes from public media organization Kera News:
Possible Routes, Stops Unveiled For Dallas-Houston High-Speed Rail
Oct. 21, 2014
By Bill Zeeble
http://keranews.org/post/possible-routes-stops-unveiled-dallas-houston-high-speed-rail
Among other things, it states:
Of course, the Fort Worth Star Telegram published an editorial, that high-speed rail should also offer service to Fort Worth, not only between Dallas and Houston:
FW must not be forgotten as Dallas-to-Houston high-speed rail plans unfold
Wednesday, Oct 22, 2014
by Editorial Board
http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/10/22/6222855/fw-must-not-be-forgotten-as-dallas.html
Some might think that it's good to be clear, that any high speed rail infrastructure between Dallas and Fort Worth will not be built with private funding by Texas Central Railway or their partners. Texas Central Railway and their partners will have enough to do between to raise $10 billion of private capital to build high-speed rail between Dallas and Houston. Probably Texas Central Railway would be willing to operate high-speed rail service between Fort Worth and Dallas as well once it is built, but it has to be built with public funding. Above Forth Worth Star Telegram editorial estimates that the cost for the segment between Fort Worth and Dallas could be $4 billion. Many may wish for all the public entities, no matter if the local communities, the state of Texas, as well as the federal level, to be able to allocate full funding for such high-speed rail infrastructure between Fort Worth and Dallas in a collaborative effort, as some might think it should be done for other routes mentioned in the editorial.
Three meetings are still coming up.
- in Bryan on October 27, see here:
http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/get-involved/about/hearings-meetings/rail/102714.html
- in Huntsville on October 28, see here:
http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/get-involved/about/hearings-meetings/rail/102814.html
- in Houston on October 29, see here:
http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/get-involved/about/hearings-meetings/rail/102914.html
Here is TCR's invitation to the meetings:
http://texascentral.com/lets-talk-join-us-to-discuss-bringing-high-speed-rail-to-texas/
To some, the press coverage about the past meetings might be interesting, as possible routes and stations for Texas high-speed rail are being discussed.
The detailed route maps can be found not on TCR's website, but on a special website for the environmental impact statement (EIS):
http://dallashoustonhsr.com/maps-and-pictures/
For example, there are the two alternatives selected for detailed evaluation:
Regarding station locations, many people seem to think that the stations should be at Union Station in Dallas, and in the downtown of Houston as well. That's why some people might be disappointed to hear that while a station could be in downtown Dallas, it won't be at Union Station, according to a statement by a TCR official to be found in an article in the Texas Tribune:
source:No Texas Central Railway officials spoke at the meeting, though company officials did speak with attendees and reporters before and after the hearing.
Travis Kelly, the company’s vice president of government relations, said Union Station was likely “too built out” for the train to have its station there, but he added that five other downtown Dallas locations were under review. He said the company considered potential ridership demand a central factor in selecting station locations, but that other issues — such as the company's ability to develop land around a station — were also playing into its decisions.
First Bullet Train Meeting Focuses on Station Locations
Oct. 21, 2014
By Aman Batheja
http://www.texastribune.org/2014/10/21/first-bullet-train-meeting-station-locations/
Another very informative report comes from public media organization Kera News:
Possible Routes, Stops Unveiled For Dallas-Houston High-Speed Rail
Oct. 21, 2014
By Bill Zeeble
http://keranews.org/post/possible-routes-stops-unveiled-dallas-houston-high-speed-rail
Among other things, it states:
With an estimated cost north of $10 billion, they’re also looking for more investors.
If all goes well, the first train will carry passengers by 2021.
Of course, the Fort Worth Star Telegram published an editorial, that high-speed rail should also offer service to Fort Worth, not only between Dallas and Houston:
FW must not be forgotten as Dallas-to-Houston high-speed rail plans unfold
Wednesday, Oct 22, 2014
by Editorial Board
http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/10/22/6222855/fw-must-not-be-forgotten-as-dallas.html
Some might think that it's good to be clear, that any high speed rail infrastructure between Dallas and Fort Worth will not be built with private funding by Texas Central Railway or their partners. Texas Central Railway and their partners will have enough to do between to raise $10 billion of private capital to build high-speed rail between Dallas and Houston. Probably Texas Central Railway would be willing to operate high-speed rail service between Fort Worth and Dallas as well once it is built, but it has to be built with public funding. Above Forth Worth Star Telegram editorial estimates that the cost for the segment between Fort Worth and Dallas could be $4 billion. Many may wish for all the public entities, no matter if the local communities, the state of Texas, as well as the federal level, to be able to allocate full funding for such high-speed rail infrastructure between Fort Worth and Dallas in a collaborative effort, as some might think it should be done for other routes mentioned in the editorial.