High-Speed Rail Tracker

Smart Cities Dive follows high-speed rail developments around the country

1 minute read

April 21, 2025, 5:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Rendering of Texas Central high-speed rail train stopped at covered platform in Dallas, Texas

Rendering of proposed Texas Central high-speed rail train station. | Texas Central / Texas Central High-Speed Rail Project

Wondering about the state of high-speed rail in the United States? Smart Cities Dive is keeping track of developments with an ongoing feature. Most recently, a Texas hedge fund manager purchased a controlling interest in the high-speed rail line formerly known as Texas Central, saying he hopes to complete the project that the federal government recently pulled funding for.

“At a Thursday hearing of the Texas House Transportation Committee in Austin, Andy Jent, representing Texas Central and Kleinheinz Capital Partners, said construction could be completed within about seven years if financing, permits and other issues are settled this year.”

John Kleinheinz, CEO of Kleinheinz Capital Partners, said he hopes the Trump administration will support the project with more private investment. The project began as a private endeavor before Amtrak took the lead in 2023.

Read about other high-speed rail developments at the source link, updated regularly.  

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