Texas Mayors Support High Speed Rail

The mayors of Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston recently announced their support of a high-speed rail connection between the two metropolitan areas. The line would be privately funded.

1 minute read

March 28, 2014, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


“The mayors of Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston this morning threw their support behind plans for a high-speed train route that could move Texans between the two metropolitan areas in 90 minutes,” reports Brandon Formby.

“Texas Central Railway wants to use the N700-I Bullet train system, which the Central Japan Railway Company uses on the Tokaido Shinkansen line between Tokyo and Osaka. That line handles more than 300 trains and more than 390,000 passengers a day.”

The key for a high-speed rail plan not becoming the political third rail it has been in say, California, the proposal would raise private funds to pay for the line. “Texas Central plans to raise private funds to build the line and operate the system.” As for next steps and some details about potential stops between the two metro areas, Formby reports that “[Texas Central] will soon begin a formal environmental study that will help it identify a preferred route and potential stops. While there could be stations along the way, the number will likely be minimal since any stop will lengthen overall travel time.”

Thursday, March 27, 2014 in Dallas News

Aerial view of homes on green hillsides in Daly City, California.

Depopulation Patterns Get Weird

A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.

April 10, 2024 - California Planning & Development Report

Aerial view of Oakland, California with bay in background

California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million

Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.

April 11, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

A view straight down LaSalle Street, lined by high-rise buildings with an El line running horizontally over the street.

Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing

Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.

April 10, 2024 - Chicago Construction News

Officials cutting a ceremonial red ribbon at Skyline Ranch Park in Santa Clarita, California.

New Park Opens in the Santa Clarita Valley

The City of Santa Clarita just celebrated the grand opening of its 38th park, the 10.5-acre Skyline Ranch Park.

4 hours ago - The Signal

Workers putting down asphalt on road.

U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause

A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.

5 hours ago - Los Angeles Times

Aerial view of Barcelona, Spain with Sagrada Familia church in middle among dense buildings.

How Urban Form Impacts Housing Affordability

The way we design cities affects housing costs differently than you might think.

6 hours ago - The Conversation

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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.