Energy
Tuesday, March 12th, 2024 2:01 pm EDT
Key Points
- The U.S. lacks authentic high-speed rail options despite decades of research and studies.
- Texas Central initiated a project in 2014 to connect Dallas to Houston with a bullet train, aiming to reduce travel time from three and a half hours by car to a 90-minute train ride.
- The Texas Central project faces regulatory hurdles, including environmental reviews and property rights disputes, despite receiving substantial support from firms in Japan and the U.S. government. The project’s estimated cost of at least $33.6 billion raises concerns, mirroring past cost overruns experienced by similar high-speed rail projects worldwide.
The quest for authentic high-speed rail options in the U.S. continues, with Texas being a focal point since 1987. The most recent endeavor, spearheaded by Texas Central since 2014, aims to connect Dallas to Houston with a bullet train, potentially reducing travel time from three and a half hours by car to just 90 minutes by train. With Amtrak expressing interest in broadening its partnership with Texas Central, the prospect of high-speed rail in the fast-growing Texas Triangle region gains momentum, particularly as population growth strains existing transportation infrastructure. However, the project faces numerous regulatory hurdles, including environmental reviews and property rights disputes, with concerns raised by locals, such as Dallas-based farmer Jody Berry, whose property lies in the proposed alignment. Despite receiving substantial support from Japanese firms and the U.S. government, the project’s estimated cost of at least $33.6 billion raises eyebrows, especially considering past cost overruns experienced by similar high-speed rail projects worldwide. While the Biden administration’s commitment to passenger rail presents a glimmer of hope, skepticism remains, exemplified by the uncertainties surrounding the California project. Rep. Troy Nehls highlights concerns about customer demand, economic viability, and impact on existing rail infrastructure. Nonetheless, the backers of Texas Central have remained silent on the project’s progress and expected completion date amidst ongoing inquiries.
For the full original article on CNBC, please click here: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/11/amtrak-backs-texas-central-bullet-train.html
