Survey crews are in the field scouting Dallas-Houston bullet train path
December 12th, 2015
December 12, 2015 -TRA Newswire
(Arlington) - The private developer that is building a high speed rail line between Dallas and Houston started surveying on public property this week in anticipation of construction starting in late 2017. "Texas Central Partners is moving from the concept to the development stage," according to Vice President Shaun McCabe. He spoke before North Texas transportation officials this week and indicated that letters of permission were sent last month to all property owners in a study area along the proposed high speed rail route. McCabe said that a significant number of private parcel owners have already responded to allow Texas Central to survey their property. Crews are expected to start the survey of private lands in January 2016.
Texas Central Railway's preferred route is to use land alongside high-voltage electric transmission lines, a route that the company had dubbed the “Utility Corridor.”
Texas Central Government Affairs Director Travis Kelly indicated that the high speed rail line will not cut off any existing public roads and will work with local officials to identify and anticipate future access needs. County briefings with planners to explain construction of the line are now underway, according to Kelly.
Kelly said that "we are in the early stages of the next ridership study and we will tie in those numbers with the proposed Fort Worth to Dallas rail project." The next steps for Texas Central are to establish the governing rules for operation of the rail line, come out with a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) in the second quarter of 2016 and complete a final environmental clearance by the end of 2016.
When asked about the Houston terminus Kelly indicated that the Federal Railroad Administration determined that extending the high speed line from the 610 Loop into downtown Houston would pose significant impacts. Kelly said Texas Central is working with transportation officials in the region to ensure connectivity for the last eight miles.
One North Texas official asked about security at the stations and on the trains. Kelly indicated that since all three stations are being built from the ground up and not having to be retrofitted, Texas Central can anticipate and work with agencies on required security needs.
Texas Central expects to mobilize construction by the end of 2017 with revenue passenger rail service expected in 2021. There will be one intermediate station stop in Grimes county to serve the Brazos Valley cities of Bryan-College Station / Huntsville / Navasota region.
(Arlington) - The private developer that is building a high speed rail line between Dallas and Houston started surveying on public property this week in anticipation of construction starting in late 2017. "Texas Central Partners is moving from the concept to the development stage," according to Vice President Shaun McCabe. He spoke before North Texas transportation officials this week and indicated that letters of permission were sent last month to all property owners in a study area along the proposed high speed rail route. McCabe said that a significant number of private parcel owners have already responded to allow Texas Central to survey their property. Crews are expected to start the survey of private lands in January 2016.
Texas Central Railway's preferred route is to use land alongside high-voltage electric transmission lines, a route that the company had dubbed the “Utility Corridor.”
Texas Central Government Affairs Director Travis Kelly indicated that the high speed rail line will not cut off any existing public roads and will work with local officials to identify and anticipate future access needs. County briefings with planners to explain construction of the line are now underway, according to Kelly.
Kelly said that "we are in the early stages of the next ridership study and we will tie in those numbers with the proposed Fort Worth to Dallas rail project." The next steps for Texas Central are to establish the governing rules for operation of the rail line, come out with a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) in the second quarter of 2016 and complete a final environmental clearance by the end of 2016.
When asked about the Houston terminus Kelly indicated that the Federal Railroad Administration determined that extending the high speed line from the 610 Loop into downtown Houston would pose significant impacts. Kelly said Texas Central is working with transportation officials in the region to ensure connectivity for the last eight miles.
One North Texas official asked about security at the stations and on the trains. Kelly indicated that since all three stations are being built from the ground up and not having to be retrofitted, Texas Central can anticipate and work with agencies on required security needs.
Texas Central expects to mobilize construction by the end of 2017 with revenue passenger rail service expected in 2021. There will be one intermediate station stop in Grimes county to serve the Brazos Valley cities of Bryan-College Station / Huntsville / Navasota region.