The high-speed rail project isn’t a done deal, but if it moves forward, trains could begin operating in 2030.
Work on a proposed Dallas-to-Houston high-speed rail project is accelerating, reports Dan Zukowski in Smart Cities Dive, as Amtrak took the lead on the project last week.
But the project is not without its challenges: “Some landowners along the route have objected to property acquisitions by Texas Central and only about 30% of the land required for the rail line has been obtained. Texas Central owes more than $600,000 in delinquent property taxes, according to the Houston Chronicle.”
Amtrak says they are still conducting due diligence and is still “some distance from making a binding decision to fully engage on this project.” If it moves forward, trains could begin running as early as 2030, according to Amtrak senior vice president of high-speed rail development programs Andy Byford.
FULL STORY: Amtrak taking lead on Dallas-Houston high-speed rail project
Texas High-Speed Rail Awarded $63.9M Federal Grant
In August, Amtrak received a $63.9 million grant from the FRA to continue its work to identify a high-speed rail corridor between Dallas and Houston.
Texas Central Railway Could Have “Massive Positive Impact”
Amtrak took the lead on the proposed high-speed rail project, which would connect Houston and Dallas in less than 90 minutes.
Texas High-Speed Rail Plan Calls for Eminent Domain
The proposed rail line would link Dallas and Houston via a 90-minute trip.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.
What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.
Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie