Dallas Brainstorms Multimodal Hub to Accompany High-Speed Rail

As high-speed rail inches closer to reality in Texas, the city of Dallas may consider similarly ambitious plans for a multimodal transportation center accommodating trains, other transit, and possibly more futuristic modes like autonomous vehicles, aerial taxis, and Hyperloop.

The concept, which has City Council has reviewed, "also includes a proposed deck park over I-30, just north of the tracks, and officials are exploring additions of new hotel and office space to accompany the hub," Shawn Shinneman writes. 

At the moment, high-speed rail is the primary driving force behind these preliminary conversations. "Texas Central got a $300 million loan in September to boost design and engineering efforts for its proposed route from Dallas to Houston. The company says it can build out 240-mile path with $12 to $15 billion, although others estimate the cost at $20 billion."

As for city-owned Union Station, currently a historic and underutilized space, questions "were mostly pushed down the line."

See also:

• High-Speed Rail to Partner with Amtrak in Texas
• Editorial: Skip the Hyperloop—Texas Should Stick to the Basics