As plans for a Dallas to Houston bullet train move forward, one state legislator is hoping to kick-start another high speed rail line from North Texas to San Antonio.
State Rep. John Bucy, a Democrat who represents parts of Austin and Williamson County, told 四虎影院 that his legislation, if passed, would allow the Texas Department of Transportation to start planning a line along the I-35 corridor, one of the most traveled in the state.
鈥淗aving high speed rail between connecting these major hubs of Texas, of Dallas and Austin and San Antonio, it should be a great option for Texans and for visitors and everyone alike,鈥� Bucy said.
would require TXDoT to enter into a comprehensive development agreement with a private partner to create the new line. Another bill, , would allow for the use of state highway funds for transit-oriented projects as well as public roads.
Bucy said there are no specific plans drawn out for the bullet train to San Antonio. Right now, it鈥檚 just a vision.
鈥淚t's more just telling the Texas Department of Transportation to basically enter a bid and get a contract going on,鈥� Bucy said.
He added that since he pre-filed the bills, there鈥檚 been an outpouring of support among constituents and advocates.
鈥淭he calls are non-stop, from constituents, from county commissioners, from elected officials that are just excited about this idea,鈥� he said.
Peter LeCody, president of Texas Rail Advocates, called the bills an 鈥渆arly Christmas gift鈥� for passenger rail supporters.
鈥淭xDOT has been kind of gun shy in the past to enter into any type of funding resolution or apply for any of these funds,鈥� LeCody said. 鈥淚t's going to be interesting to see if we can get the legislature to move on this.鈥�
He said the is leading the charge on passenger rail projects across the state. Members of the committee, organized by Travis County judge Andy Brown and Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai, include the rail division director for TxDOT as well as local elected officials and representatives from private businesses.
LeCody added that the committee plans to ask the legislature for $300 million to start a Rail Relocation and Improvement Fund.
鈥淸I-35] is going to be in construction for our lifetime, and probably the lifetime of our kids and our kids鈥� kids coming as well,鈥� LeCody said. 鈥淲e've got to look at some different modes of transportation, not only between Austin, San Antonio, but all the way down to Fort Worth and down to San Antonio and the [Rio Grande] valley.鈥�
North Texas leaders on the Regional Transportation Council say they'll push the state to create a high-speed rail authority that would support and coordinate efforts to build bullet train routes connecting Dallas and Fort Worth to Houston and other parts of the state.
Pablo Arauz Pe帽a is 四虎影院鈥檚 growth and infrastructure reporter. Got a tip? Email Pablo at parauzpena@kera.org. You can follow him on X .
四虎影院 is made possible through the generosity of our members. If you find this reporting valuable, consider . Thank you.
