As talks about Dallas-Houston high-speed rail resurface, what about a Fort Worth line?

Eleanor Dearman
·2 min read
23

A top North Texas transportation official has hopes for a high-speed rail connecting Fort Worth and Dallas, perhaps even before the much discussed line between Houston and Dallas.

Texas Central and Amtrak on Wednesday announced a potential partnership to advance a high speed rail project that could mean a trip between Dallas and Houston in less than 90 minutes. The North Central Texas Council of Governments sees potential to include Fort Worth in the planned route and is proposing stations in Fort Worth, Arlington and Dallas, in addition to the stop in Houston.

Dallas-Fort Worth leads the nation in population growth, and Tarrant County is growing faster than Dallas County.

“Why would you want the end of the line to be in Dallas County and then everyone has to transfer to the TRE, which would take an hour, or transfer to some other mode of transportation,” said Michael Morris, the director of transportation for the council.

The rail between Houston and Dallas would also include a stop at a Brazos Valley Station in Grimes County between College Station and Huntsville, according to Texas Central.

Next steps include an environmental review process for the Dallas to Fort Worth segment by the Federal Transit Administration and the Federal Railroad Administration that must be finished within a year, Morris said.

Plans for the Houston to Dallas rail have been in the works for years. Opponents have been skeptical about its chances and have raised concerns related to land rights, the process lacking transparency and possible costs to taxpayers.

Morris suggested the Fort Worth project could be finished sooner. The shorter line could be open for people while the longer Houston line is being built, he said.

“Let’s get into this environmental phase, and let’s put on the table in September of 2024: ‘Hey Texas Central Partners, maybe the first line you want to build is from Dallas to Fort Worth. It’s only 30 miles and it would really showcase your system as you’re building the longer segment,’” Morris said.

Morris touted the possibility of travel between Texas A&M University and its law school in Fort Worth, and travel between Houston and Arlington for Astros-Rangers baseball games.