FRA releases draft EIS for Texas Bullet Train

Dallas — The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) released its Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) that will allow Texas Central to build the Texas Bullet Train, which clears the way for this project to move forward with its plans to link the state’s two biggest metro areas in 90 minutes.

The report outlined for the first time a single, preferred route between North Texas and Houston, with a midway stop in the Brazos Valley, identified passenger station and system facility locations and recognized the system’s low-impact design and construction principles, among other technical elements.

The FRA’s environmental analysis stems from thousands of hours of work over the last four years by hundreds of experts and field surveyors, including biologists and natural resource technicians; civil, audio, mechanical and electrical engineers; architects and geologists; and historians and sociologists, among many others.

It also reflects input from thousands of comments by the public, including landowners, community groups, elected officials and others. An independent consultant managed by the FRA solicited, compiled and reviewed the public responses and technical reviews.

The assessment helps give additional clarity, focus and certainty to the high-speed train’s planning and pre-construction phases, ensuring the safety, security and environmental wellbeing of counties and communities along the 240-mile route.

It is the latest development in what has been an exciting and successful year, including the recent selection of Irving, Texas-based Fluor Enterprises Inc. and The Lane Construction Corp. as the preferred design/build team, with WSP USA conducting engineering work on their behalf.

Texas Central is not taking federal or state grants for its operations or construction. This approach presents a new business model for improving infrastructure in response to Texans’ pent-up demand for relief from challenges caused by ongoing population growth and traffic congestion.

According to Texas Central, the project will pump $36 billion directly into the economy over the next 25 years and create 10,000 jobs per year during construction and more than 1,000 permanent, full-time jobs.

To view and provide comment on this document, visit https://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P1078.