December 29, 2017 - TRA Newswire -

The clock is ticking on the Federal Railroad Administration’s 60-day public comment period on the Dallas-Houston bullet train project. Texas Central Railway's Draft Environmental Impact Statement  (DEIS) was released last week and posted in the Federal Register.

The public now has an opportunity  to review and provide input on the Texas Bullet Train’s route and designs. A series of FRA public meetings are scheduled on January 29, 30, 31 and February 5 and 6, 2018 in all 10 counties along the route.

Holly Reed, Director of External Affairs for Texas Central Railway said that  "we look forward to continuing to hear from landowners and other stakeholders at the FRA’s upcoming public meetings. Throughout 2017, we spoke personally with dozens of landowners, urban super-commuters, parents, college students, business visionaries and people from all walks of life who are excited and ready for their Bullet Train."

The (EIS) process is specifically designed for public involvement. This is the opportunity to provide comments and raise issues you would like to see addressed. Comments and feedback provided during this process will enable the project to better address community and environmental concerns.

The FRA looked at design elements, including track spacing, curvatures and the use of elevated viaducts to minimize the system footprint. The DEIS shows that a significant portion of the high-speed train system will be built on elevated viaducts. There will also be no “at grade crossings” in the Texas Bullet Train system, meaning there will never be a chance for the train to intersect with another train, pedestrian or vehicle.

DEIS-related documents on the Dallas-Houston high speed rail project are through this link: https://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0779

Before the public hearing presentation begins, an open house will be held to allow for comments, questions and review of project exhibits. FRA and TCR staff will be available to answer questions at that time.

Dallas County, Monday, January 29, 2018, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wilmer-Hutchins High School, 5520 Langdon Rd, Dallas, TX 75241
Navarro County, Monday, January 29, 2018, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Corsicana Middle School, 4101 FM 744, Corsicana, TX 75110
Ellis County, Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Ennis High School, 2301 Ensign Rd, Ennis, TX 75119
Leon County, Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Leon High School, 12168 US 79, Jewett, TX 75846
Limestone County, Wednesday, January 31, 2018, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mexia High School, 1120 N Ross Ave, Mexia, TX 76667
Freestone County, Wednesday, January 31, 2018, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fairfield High School, 630 Post Rd, Fairfield, TX 75840
Madison County, Monday, February 5, 2018, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Madisonville High School, 811a S May St, Madisonville, TX 77864
Harris County, Monday, February 5, 2018, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Woodard Elementary School, 17501 Cypress North Houston Rd, Cypress, TX 77433
Grimes County, Tuesday, February 6, 2018, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Navasota Middle School, 1 Rattler Dr, Navasota, TX 77868
Waller County, Tuesday, February 6, 2018, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Waller High School, 20950 Fields Store Rd, Waller, TX 77484

The investor-owned project has spent more than $100 million to date and said they will not take federal or state grants for its construction or operations. This approach presents a new business model for improving infrastructure and meeting the state’s growing transportation needs.

The train system is expected to generate $36 billion in direct economic activity over the next 25 years, create more than 10,000 direct jobs per year during construction and more than 1,000 permanent jobs.