Texas Central has its construction contracts and a court decision in its favor, but significant obstacles remain for the high-speed rail project connecting Houston and Dallas to get underway.
"Privately funded high-speed rail developer Texas Central has signed a $16 billion 'final agreement' with Italian firm Webuild Group and its U.S. subsidiary Lane Construction Corp. to build its 236-mile line connecting Dallas and Houston," reports Marybeth Luczak. The announcement comes with a large caveat, however: the project has yet to secure funding to pay the new contractors.
Luczak details some of the difficulties in reporting on the project, saying Texas Central and its media relations contractors have not been willing to provide much specific detail on proect financing. Available information about project financing has not been updated since fall of 2020, according to Luczak, despite recent inquiries.
Texas Central media representatives were willing to estimate the launch of construction in late 2021 or late 2022.
According to the article, Webuild is planning to replicate performance metric established by the Japanese Tokaido Shinkansen system, operated by Central Japan Railway Co., with train speeds of up to 200 mph.
"The system is planned to link Dallas and Houston, with an intermediate station west of Roans Prairie in Grimes County and near Texas A&M University, on a dedicated right-of-way. Travel time is being advertised at less than 90 minutes. Webuild estimates that approximately 6 million riders will use the train by 2029 and 13 million by 2050," according to Luczak.
In other news related to the project, the Texas Supreme Court declined a case that attempted to block Texas central from using eminent domain to acquire right of way for the project. Kim Roberts reports on the demise of the case made by homeowners against the project in an article for The Texan.
FULL STORY: Texas Central: Contractor Secured. Funding?
Eminent Domain Questions Still Dog Texas Central High Speed Rail Plans
The Texas Attorney General took a break from its crusade against unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud to weigh in on a controversial question of property rights.
Texas Central High-Speed Rail Gets Green Light From Feds
The Federal Railroad Administration has granted two key permissions for Texas Central to operate a high-speed trail between Houston and Dallas.
$14 Billion Deal for Texas High-Speed Rail Construction
Italian construction giant Salini Impregilo will build the high-speed rail route connecting Houston and Dallas.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process
The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.
LA County Creating Action Plan to Tackle Extreme Heat
Los Angeles County is creating a Heat Action Plan to help communities stay safe during extreme heat, with steps like adding more shade, improving buildings, and supporting the neighborhoods most at risk.
Maryland Plans Quick-Build Complete Streets Projects
The state will use low-cost interventions to improve road safety in five Maryland counties.
Downtown Los Angeles Gears Up for Growth
A new report highlights Downtown L.A.’s ongoing revival through major housing projects, adaptive reuse, hospitality growth, and preparations for global events in the years ahead.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Charlotte
Municipality of Princeton
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)