Texas railway narrows corridor search for Dallas-Houston bullet-train service

Texas Central Railway (TCR) has informed the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) that it recommends narrowing the consideration of potential high-speed rail corridors between Dallas and Houston to what is generally known as the Utility Corridor.

TCR officials concluded that the Utility Corridor is best suited to meet the goals of the project to provide N700-I bullet-train service between Dallas and Houston, according to a TCR press release.

They reached their conclusion after a significant effort to seek solutions to engineering, construction and economic challenges associated with building high-speed rail in or along the existing freight corridor.

"Texas Central has gone to great lengths to identify corridors that will have the least impact on local communities and meet our purpose and need," said TCR President Robert Eckels. "By informing the FRA that we believe all ongoing studies and analysis should focus on identifying potential alignments within and associated with the Utility Corridor, we are staying true to our commitment to follow existing rights of way as much as possible."

The railway will "continue to work closely with communities to make this project a success that we can all be proud of," Eckels added.