The group known as Texans Against High Speed Rail has initiated a campaign to flood the Surface Transportation Board in Washington with petitions that, even well couched in the guise of eminent domain, just want to flat out kill the Texas high speed rail project between Dallas and Houston.

It's time for all of us that want to move Texas into the 21st transportation century and shed the stigma of "roads only" for our state send our thoughts to the STB right NOW.

A private company that wants to create 10,000 construction jobs and several thousand well-paid permanent jobs in a state hard hit by the energy sector needs to be given a chance to succeed. The rhetoric from the anti-railers is loud and the supporters need to be louder. High speed rail will take up a 100 foot wide footprint with two tracks. Most of the 240 miles will parallel existing high tension electric utility towers. High speed rail is clean, efficient and modern. Trains will run at speeds up to 200 miles per hour and connect our two major population centers in 90 minutes. Since it is a private concern the property will be taxable to the cities and counties along the route, not like a state or county highway project that usurps land and takes property off of tax roles.

Here's what we are asking you to do and all it will take are a few minutes of your time:

Here's a sample support letter.  We suggest you phrase it the way you want but the gist remains the same. If you want high speed rail to come to Texas, say it.

 

*Should be addressed to the Chairman and also the other two members*

*Should be submitted online here and reference docket number FD 36025*

- - - - - - - - - - -

Chairman Daniel R. Elliott III

Vice Chairman Deb Miller

Member Ann D. Begeman

Surface Transportation Board

395 E Street S.W.

Washington, DC 20423

I am writing to express my support for the Texas Central project. This is an important private project of national significance, introducing a new high-speed rail option between the two largest metropolitan regions in Texas. This new high-speed rail service between Houston and North Texas is consistent with NARP’s goals for improving passenger rail service and increasing connectivity among all forms of transportation. Connecting these two regions by passenger rail for the first time will have a significant, positive impact on the interstate rail network.

I encourage you to take jurisdiction over this project as a welcomed part of the interstate rail network, and to expedite your review of their application so this exciting project can move forward.

 

The email must end with the list that follows (by physical mail is fine, as we don’t have email addresses for all)

 

Cc: Parties of Record

Docket Number: FD_36025_0

Case Title: TEXAS CENTRAL RAILROAD AND INFRASTRUCTURE INC., INC. &

TEXAS CENTRAL RAILROAD, LLC­PETITION FOR EXEMPTION-
PASSENGER RAIL LINE BETWEEN DALLAS, TX AND HOUSTON, TX

10 Service List Entries

Party Of Record Atkins, Raymond A

1501 K Street, N. W. Washington, DC 20005

 

Party Of Record Booth, Karyn A.

Thompson Hine LLP 1919 M Street, N.W., Suite 700

Washington, DC 20036

 

Party Of Record Floyd, Kathryn Kusske

Venable LLP 575 Seventh Street, N.W.

Washington, DC 20004

 

Party Of Record Streeter, Richard H.

Law Office Of Richard H. Streeter

5255 Partridge Lane, N.W. Washington, DC 20016

 

Atkins, Raymond A

1501 K Street, N. W. Washington, DC 20005

 

Atkins, Raymond A

1501 K Street, N. W. Washington, DC 20005

 

Booth, Karyn A.

Thompson Hine LLP 1919 M Street, N.W., Suite 700

Washington, DC 20036

 

Floyd, Kathryn Kusske

Venable LLP

575 Seventh Street, N.W.Washington, DC 20004

 

Floyd, Kathryn Kusske

Venable LLP

575 Seventh Street, N.W.

Washington, DC 20004

 

Streeter, Richard H.

Law Office Of Richard H. Streeter

5255 Partridge Lane, N.W. Washington, DC 20016