January 25, 2018 - TRA Newswire -
A Special Request for Texas Rail Advocates followers:
The private company that is building the high speed railroad between Dallas and Houston must get final approval from the Federal Railroad Administration before the first shovel full of dirt can be turned.

The FRA has scheduled 10 public meetings along the I-45 corridor and is asking for public input on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Public comments end on February 20, 2018. The public meetings start January 29th.

Texas Rail Advocates is asking for you to submit your brief comment to the Federal Railroad Administration why the Texas Central project, a 90 minute high speed train between Dallas and Houston is important to you. You can enter your comment through this link: www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0700. In the comments section there are two ways you can give the FRA your thoughts and opinions.

You can also attend one of the 10 public meetings listed on the FRA website starting January 29th and speak out: www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0700.

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 7511
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.
Truman Kimbro Convention Center, 111 W Trinity 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 Junior High, 9038 Highway 90 South, 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

During the Southwestern Rail Conference, held last week in Dallas, many of the attendees voiced comments about how the bullet train project could impact their lives. Here are some of the highlights:

Time savings vs. driving 4-5 hours on a good day
Planes have cut back service between Dallas and Houston and this gives travelers a good option
I won't have to drive on I-45, cited as one of the most dangerous interstates
No highway grade crossings to worry about train-vehicle collisions
I can be more productive with wi-fi and phone calls on the train vs. a plane or car
It uses technology that is safe and efficient
I could easily do a same day trip for business between the two cities and be back home
The train is more environmentally friendly than cars, buses or planes
Traffic on I-45 is increasing and we need choices to travel
Frequent schedules will mean I don't have to wait a long time for a train
It takes too long in total time to fly when you consider check-in, security, waiting and delays
It will help revive an economically depressed area of Dallas and Houston
The train takes you from city to city, not to a distant airport
No on-board fatalities after 50 years of this high speed technology
It will create thousands of construction jobs for the Texas economy
It will create accessible transportation for mobility challenged Texans
It will create permanent, well-paying jobs in the railroad industry
It's a private company investing in Texas and is not asking for state or federal funding to build or operate the railroad
Roads don’t pay property taxes but a private railroad will and it benefits towns and cities
Many Texans go to Houston for health care. This will save time.
Most Texans live east of the I-35 corridor and will need fast, frequent transportation options
An intermediate station for the Brazos Valley gives access to the Bryan-College Station market that is land-locked without an interstate highway connection.