Texas Central High-Speed Rail Gets Green Light From Feds

"Federal officials have issued final approvals to backers of a Houston-to-Dallas high-speed rail line, further clearing the way for construction of the proposed line, in a move almost certain to face challenges from opponents," according to an article by Dug Begley. 

The company that will operate the bullet train from Houston to Dallas, Texas Central, "said early Monday that the Federal Railroad Administration had issued both the Record of Decision that ends the environmental analysis and the Rule of Particular Applicability that governs the safety standards the Japanese-developed trains must use," reports Begley. 

The Texas Central Railway will use Shinkansen-style bullet trains built by Central Japan Railway, though an international consortium of companies will contribute other components to the project.

The price tag for the project has now risen to $20 billion, from an original estimate of $10 billion, according to Begley, for a project that will make the trip between Houston and Dallas in 90 minutes and include a stop near College Station.  

As reported by Begley, the project is already attracting loud opposition, and multiple lawsuits could be expected to slow the project. According to Begley, the opposition is led by rural and suburban interests concerned about the impact of construction and operations of the train as it passes through on its way to its destinations.