A high-speed rail line connecting Dallas and Houston has long been seen as a game changer for Texas. The Texas Central project promises to cut travel time between the two cities from over 23 hours by current train routes to just 90 minutes. The project would use Japanese bullet train technology, reaching speeds over 200 miles per hour, and include a stop in the Brazos Valley.
Federal Support Withdrawn
The project initially received strong backing from the Department of Transportation (DOT) under President Joe Biden. Amtrak joined the effort in August 2023 to study its feasibility, and the DOT awarded a $63.9 million planning grant.
However, the DOT under President Donald Trump reversed course last month. The department canceled the grant and announced Amtrak would no longer be involved. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said, “If the private sector believes this project is feasible, they should carry the preconstruction work forward, rather than relying on Amtrak and the American taxpayer to bail them out.”
The Need for High-Speed Rail in Texas
Texas, despite its car-friendly reputation, faces serious transportation issues. Houston is among the most congested and polluted cities in the U.S. The state has not had a day without a road death since November 2000. High-speed rail could help ease traffic, improve safety, and reduce pollution.
Other countries have made major advances in high-speed rail. In China, trains cover the 820 miles between Beijing and Shanghai in just over four hours. In Europe, a new high-speed train now connects Paris and Berlin.
Political Hurdles and Private Investment
The Trump administration has shown a preference for privately funded rail projects. It praised Brightline, a private rail company in Florida and California, even as those projects still rely on some public funding.
Texas Central has faced many challenges since its launch in 2014. The pandemic nearly killed the project, but a partnership with Amtrak revived it. The project cleared major regulatory hurdles: the Federal Railroad Administration approved the route in 2020, and the Texas Supreme Court granted eminent domain authority in 2022.
Now, with Amtrak out, Texas Central is turning to private investors. Kleinheinz Capital Partners, a hedge fund based in Fort Worth, has become the lead investor. The company says the project is “shovel ready” and will create jobs. Texas Central’s CEO, John Kleinheinz, believes the Trump administration might support the project if it is privately funded. The estimated cost is $40 billion.
Mixed Political Support and Local Opposition
The project has some bipartisan support, but also faces strong opposition. Some Texas lawmakers have filed bills to strip Texas Central of its eminent domain authority or to block state spending on the project. At the same time, a group called ReRoute the Route wants the rail line moved to run alongside Interstate 45, which connects Dallas and Houston. The group also questions whether Kleinheinz has the experience needed to lead the project.
Economic Promise and Uncertain Future
Supporters say high-speed rail could bring big economic benefits. Jim Mathews, president of the Rail Passengers Association, says such projects often attract new businesses, housing, and retail development. He believes private investment is important, but government funding is usually needed for large rail systems.
High-speed rail does not yet exist in the U.S., and the Texas Central project required special rules from regulators. Still, advocates point to strong public interest. A 2015 survey found that 63% of Americans would likely use high-speed rail if it were available.
Mathews summed up the situation: “It gets done everywhere else. We’re just uniquely bad at it. There’s no reason we have to be.”
Read More:
