RobertB
Train Attendant
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram is reporting that a rift has developed between some of the backers of high-speed rail in Texas. It's a classic dispute, with a twist. I would think that many cities have had a debate about whether to run HSR into the downtown core vs. out to the airport... but Dallas and Fort Worth have downtowns that are separated by 30 miles, with the airport in between. And on top of that, the two cities very seldom come together on regional planning issues, with DFW airport itself being the notable exception (and one that was somewhat forced on the cities by the feds in the early '70s).
Here's some tidbits:
Also from the article:
Here's some tidbits:
My thoughts on the matter: While I would love to see a high-speed rail terminal in downtown, it would require massive displacement of existing homes and businesses, and would be difficult to route around those damned freeways that choke off both downtown cores like a noose. Also, there's no long-term parking in either downtown core, and I think Texas high-speed rail will be much better off if it doesn't have to rely solely upon those city dwellers who have decided to go car-free. Each one of those issues is fully addressed by routing HSR to DFW Airport.Tarrant County [Fort Worth side] Commissioner Gary Fickes is among those who favors 200-mph trains on elevated tracks -- possibly on right of way along Texas 360 in Arlington -- to one station at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. From there, a passenger could hop on a train and be in Houston in about 80 minutes, stopping only a few times to pick up passengers along the 250-mile journey.
Such a system would cost much more than other proposals but could be privately funded, and would be better for the state long term, Fickes argues. A Japanese company has already moved to Texas to put together a bullet-train proposal.
Also from the article:
Please let me say a big Texas "Thank y'all" to Florida, for turning your backs on that awful Federal money. It's tainted, of course, but we'll make the great sacrifice of spending it for you. Y'all keep up the good work.On Monday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that $15 million had been awarded to Texas for design of a high-speed rail line connecting Dallas-Fort Worth to Houston.
It was part of a $2 billion program that included the redistribution of money initially awarded to Florida for development of a high-speed-rail line from Tampa to Orlando.
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