Mid City Times

The Texas high-speed rail projects from Fort Worth to Houston are one step closer to becoming a reality, as the federal government has announced additional planning funds for the project. The Biden-Harris administration has included the project in the Corridor Identification and Development Program, which will provide up to $1 million in funding for the proposed high-speed rail service along the corridor.

The project consists of two separate applications. The North Central Texas Council of Governments submitted the Fort Worth-to-Houston project, while Amtrak submitted an application for the Dallas-to-Houston line. Both applications propose using the corridor that Texas Central received a Record of Decision on from the Federal Railroad Administration. These projects were among seven high-speed rail projects nationwide that were awarded planning funding as part of the Corridor Identification and Development Program.

The North Texas line, planned by the NCTCOG, will run along I-30 from Fort Worth to Dallas, with a stop in Arlington, and will connect to the Dallas-to-Houston project. The NCTCOG has examined 43 potential alignments for the high-speed rail and has determined that the IH 30 route is the preferred method to seamlessly connect people from throughout the region to the planned Dallas-to-Houston route.

The next step for the project is the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis, which will focus on route alignment, possible station locations, and potential social and environmental impacts. The NCTCOG is working with the Federal Transit Administration to finalize the necessary steps before the Dallas-Fort Worth corridor can advance to the formal NEPA process.

Inclusion in the Corridor ID Program not only provides additional funding for planning but also signifies the need to advance project development and explore partnership opportunities. It also positions the project for future federal funding to support design and construction. The Corridor ID Program aims to guide intercity passenger rail development across the country and create a pipeline of passenger rail projects ready for implementation.

The high-speed rail planning award is a result of the bipartisan infrastructure law passed in 2021, which established the Corridor Identification and Development Program. This program is a significant step towards realizing the vision of a high-speed rail network in Texas, connecting major cities and improving transportation options for residents and travelers.

With the additional planning funds and the inclusion in the Corridor ID Program, the Texas high-speed rail projects are making significant progress. The future looks promising for the realization of a modern and efficient transportation system that will benefit the state of Texas and its residents.

Click this link to access more information: https://www.fortworthtexas.gov/news/2023/12/high-speed-rail-funding