'More lanes or more trains?' Proposed rail projects in Texas get federal funding boost
December 8, 2023 - KERAnews.org -
More passenger rail projects are on the horizon in North Texas and across the state as federal officials announced new funding on Friday.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is awarding a $500,000 grant for the proposed I-20 Corridor Long-Distance Passenger Rail Project. The project, sponsored by the Southern Rail Commission, would connect North Texas to cities across the South going east all the way to Atlanta.
The announcement was part of this year's round of FRA grants that include another $500,000 for the much anticipated Fort Worth-Dallas to Houston bullet train sponsored by the North Central Texas Council of Governments. Overall, $2 million in grants were awarded for proposed projects in Texas.
The funding is welcome news for rail advocates like Peter LeCody, who said rapidly growing metro areas — and smaller Texas cities — need more transportation options.