Friday’s the last day of the public input period on a proposed $15 billion high-speed rail line that developers promise will shuttle travelers between Dallas and Houston in 90 minutes.
Texas Central Partners hopes to break ground on the bullet train project next year. Though cities like Dallas and Houston support the project, the plan’s not popular with many landowners and leaders in rural counties along the route.
Sheriffs from the eight rural counties along the proposed route held a news conference last week to introduce their coalition and voice concerns about the bullet train.
When the public comment period closes, the Federal Railroad Administration will look into concerns from the public and include all the comments in a final environmental impact statement.
In recent months, Texas Central has held a series of 10 public meetings in counties along the proposed route — and has released design renderings of the Dallas and Houston terminals.
The developers say the train system is expected to generate $36 billion to the economy over the next 25 years, create more than 10,000 jobs per year during construction and more than 1,000 permanent positions when it’s completed.