April 11, 2026 - TRA Newswire -
The focus was on regional freight rail, mobility and connectivity improvements at the 2026 Northeast Texas Transportation summit in Sulphur Springs last week.
Leaders and partners from across the region came together to discuss transportation needs, share ideas, and explore solutions to move Northeast Texas forward. Keynote speaker was Rusty Roberts, Senior Policy Advisor with the Federal Railroad Administration.
State Representative Brent Money, House District 2, gave a legislative update that discussed transportation improvements and funding for the region.
The Northeast Texas Rural Rail District (NETEX) has struggled to survive without any state or federal grants or local taxing authority, and last year lost the short line railroad that tried to keep the line operating for shippers. The rail line spans six counties in northeast Texas.
NETEX directors have been courting another short line operator to take over and improve the line. TRA understands that an agreement may be announced in the near future.
A grant program for short line railroads was passed by the Texas legislature last year but did not contain any funding provisions. The NETEX board was counting on being able to tap into the grant program, adding local funds to a state grant for infrastructure improvements. S.B. 2366 remedied the basic issue but, without a fiscal note attached, any short line project will have to wait for a funding appropriation in the 2027 legislative session.
Also attending the summit was Business Support and Development Director for TNW Corporation Joey Evans; NETEX Treasurer Brad Johnson; Network Economic and Industrial Development Regional Manager for Central Texas at Union Pacific Cherramiee Peterson and TexAmerica Center Executive Vice President and Chief Economic Development Officer Eric Voyle.
See previous story: https://www.texasrailadvocates.org/post/northeast-texas-rural-rail-district-looks-for-a-new-operator
The summit was a joint effort of the Ark-Tex Council of Governments and Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation.
Photo credit: State Rep Brent Money Facebook