As Amtrak moves forward with plans to bring high-speed rail to Texas — like the Shinkansen rail network in Japan — North Texas officials are hoping to turn downtown Dallas into a regional rail hub.

Dallas transportation officials are considering an ambitious plan for up-and-coming railway projects in the region that envisions a city center where passengers can connect with existing railways across North Texas, like light rail and streetcars, and — someday — take a high-speed train to Fort Worth or Houston.

At a meeting of the Dallas Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Tuesday, Assistant City Manager Robert Perez laid out the comprehensive but tentative plan. It includes the city’s coordination with ongoing initiatives, including the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center, efforts to expand streetcars downtown and the region’s ongoing high-speed rail endeavors. The plan would also revitalize the heavily underused Eddie Bernice Johnson Union Station.

Read more: https://dentonrc.com/news/state/dallas-sets-ambitions-on-downtown-high-speed-rail-hub/article_643a0f3e-5559-5cb7-aab1-d4918c1b634c.html?

Additional coverage: The Dallas Express https://dallasexpress.com/city/new-high-speed-rail-station-coming-to-dallas/

Additional coverage: NBCDFW.com https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/new-push-for-high-speed-rail-with-a-dallas-transportation-hub-connection/3437449/

Photo credit: City of Dallas