July 23, 2024 - TexasTribune.com - 

The state’s booming population, congestion problems and billions of federal dollars on the table have officials eyeing ways to boost passenger rail.

A robust passenger rail system has long been seen as a pipe dream in car-dependent Texas.

But a glut of federal dollars for rail projects and a growing realization that road expansions won't ease chronic congestion on the state's busiest highways have some Texas officials and policymakers flirting once more with the idea of expanding passenger rail.

"It's like the perfect storm forming because 20 years ago if we talked about passenger rail in Texas, it would fall on deaf ears," said Peter LeCody, who heads the organization Texas Rail Advocates.

Congress set aside $66 billion in the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to advance rail projects across the country.

Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/23/texas-passenger-rail/

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