High-speed Texas rail gets feds’ approval; San Antonio not included, but some see opportunity
October 4th, 2020
September 22, 2020 - San Antonio Express-News -
Federal officials have granted final approvals for a Houston-to-Dallas high-speed rail line, clearing the way for construction in a move almost certain to spark political and legal challenges.
The train won’t stop in San Antonio.
Rail planners and lawmakers generally agree that completing a Houston-Dallas route first makes more economic sense because construction will cost less — rural rights of way in East Texas are less expensive than here — and because the line will connect the state’s two largest markets.
The most logical passenger train corridor for San Antonio — to Austin along Interstate 35 — has been studied since at least 1989 and is unlikely to be revived soon. But if the Houston-Dallas line enjoys success, some officials think South Texans would ask why that success couldn’t be replicated on the San Antonio-Austin corridor.
Read more: https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/High-speed-Texas-rail-gets-feds-approval-San-15585456.php
Federal officials have granted final approvals for a Houston-to-Dallas high-speed rail line, clearing the way for construction in a move almost certain to spark political and legal challenges.
The train won’t stop in San Antonio.
Rail planners and lawmakers generally agree that completing a Houston-Dallas route first makes more economic sense because construction will cost less — rural rights of way in East Texas are less expensive than here — and because the line will connect the state’s two largest markets.
The most logical passenger train corridor for San Antonio — to Austin along Interstate 35 — has been studied since at least 1989 and is unlikely to be revived soon. But if the Houston-Dallas line enjoys success, some officials think South Texans would ask why that success couldn’t be replicated on the San Antonio-Austin corridor.
Read more: https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/High-speed-Texas-rail-gets-feds-approval-San-15585456.php