Fast Train To Big D

Many citizens in independent-minded Texas may not like the idea of spending $10 billion on high speed rail. Backers in Dallas, though, have begun to dream up big plans for a station area to serve Texas Central Railway.

1 minute read

February 13, 2015, 8:00 AM PST

By Josh Stephens @jrstephens310


Japan High Speed Rail

foolish adler / Flickr

The $10 billion planned Texas Central Railway promises to take passengers from *Houston to Dallas in about 90 minutes, making the nation's second-largest state a little smaller. Railway officials recently announced potential locations for the Dallas terminus, which has civic leaders in the city excited about development in the area. 

The city is considering a partnership that would develop an extensive mixed-use community around the station. This approach would contrast dramatically with the spread-out development that characterizes much of the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex. The location takes advantage of vacant land south of downtown Dallas. Dallas has grown mostly northward from downtown, so the station is seen as a catalyst for revitalizing a neglected part of the city. It will be linked to Dallas' growing light rail network.

"Texas Central also announced that it was creating a development company that would partner with the existing development firm Matthews Southwest to turn the station into a mixed-use development that could encourage more retail, residences and businesses in the gateway to the city’s southern half. The parcels identified are owned by Matthews entities or the city."

*The article was corrected to reflect the correct extent of the route.

Thursday, February 12, 2015 in Dallas Morning News

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

The Gross Reservoir, a large body of water surrounded by trees and mountains.

Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion

Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.

September 18, 2026 - Inside Climate News

A crowd of people boarding Boston's green line in an underground subway station.

Boston has spent millions making the Green Line more accessible — and there’s no end in sight

While the city has invested millions into expanding and adding platforms to the Green Line to make it more accessible, new train cars set to arrive next year will be too tall for disabled passengers to board without raising the current platforms.

1 hour ago - Boston Globe

Railroad tracks in Idaho passing a home by a river.

Idaho may see an 18% drop in federal surface transit funding — the largest estimated cut in the US

Transit systems in rural communities are much more reliant on federal funding to provide their services.

2 hours ago - Grist

A Florida family with their belongings in a wagon walks past a destroyed storm after a hurricane.

How ‘post-disaster gentrification’ alters neighborhoods after natural calamities

After hurricanes, fires or other calamities, the original residents of a community are often replaced by younger, wealthier residents.

3 hours ago - Inside Climate News