North Texas transit planners are asking federal representatives for support for a proposed Dallas to Houston high speed rail project, but doubts remain among some local leaders.
The Regional Transportation Council on Thursday voted to send a letter to congressional representatives asking them to oppose language in an appropriations bill that would prohibit federal funding to high-speed rail development in Texas.
A section in thestates 鈥渘one of the funds appropriated under this Act or any other Act may be provided to the State of Texas for a high-speed rail corridor development project that is the same or substantially similar to the Amtrak Texas High Speed Rail Corridor previously known as the Texas Central Railway Project.鈥�
"Only two projects were named in this bill, and this is one of them," RTC staffer Brendon Wheeler told the council. "We believe that this, unfortunately, may have unintended consequences for your efforts for high speed rail, which is why we're flagging it here today."
The letter says the rail project will 鈥渁lleviate congestion on the roadway and provide a faster and safer alternative鈥� as Texas鈥� population grows.
鈥淎s the bill proceeds to the full House, the RTC hopes you will advocate for a funding bill that does not prohibit appropriating funds to high-speed rail corridor 鈥� development projects in Texas,鈥� the letter reads.
Dallas City Council member Cara Mendelsohn, who has consistently questioned the project, was one of the two RTC members to oppose sending the letter. She called the bill a "very specific action" by Congress not to fund the bullet train.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 think there鈥檚 been an unintended consequence,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was led by one of our own regional congressmen who publicly declared 'high-speed rail in Texas dead.'"
Mendelsohn was referring to Republican North Texas-area Congressman Jake Ellzey, who in April praised a U.S. Department of Transportation decision to terminate a nearly $64 million planning grant for Amtrak for Texas鈥� high-speed rail line. He that would threaten to seize land from rural Texans using eminent domain.
Ellzey told 四虎影院 in a written statement he will "always stand on the side of private property rights.
鈥淯nder the Biden Administration, Texas Central secured a $64 million grant to study the legitimacy of their project," Ellzey wrote. "I am pleased to say that both the President and Secretary Duffy agreed with me that this is not an effective use of taxpayer dollars. Shortly after the Secretary took office, I worked with the him to rescind this grant.鈥�
Kleinheinz Capital Partners, a private Fort Worth-based company and a lead investor in Texas Central, took the lead on the project after Amtrak鈥檚 grant was terminated.
"Mr. [Kleinheinz] requested he wanted the ball in the private sector," said regional transportation director Michael Morris. "He believes he can deliver Dallas to Houston [bullet train] faster without Amtrak."
Earlier this year, Dallas completed a study into the bullet train showing a $5 billion economic impact.
Arlington Mayor Jim Ross told the council he still wants to move forward with a separate study his city is funding along with the city of Fort Worth .
"Congressman Ellzey is entitled to his opinion. We're entitled to say: 'You're full of crap,'" Ross said. "If it's a privately funded project and has the potential of moving forward, us local leaders are going to do what's best for our communities."
Ellzey responded to Ross' statement, saying that the bullet train is not a privately funded project.
鈥淥ver the past five years, Texas Central has sought millions of dollars from both the state and federal governments," he said. "Elected officials who support this project are supporting the use of eminent domain to take Texans鈥� land, and I will always stand on the side of private property rights."
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.
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