Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam to conduct Texas high-speed rail study

LAN

The metropolitan planning organization for the Dallas-Fort Worth region, the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), has chosen the Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam (LAN) consulting firm to carry out a high-speed rail station area planning study for downtown Dallas.  

The state currently has three high-speed rail corridors undergoing various stages of development that would connect major urban areas in Texas: the Dallas to Fort Worth HSR, Dallas to Houston HSR and Texas-Oklahoma Passenger Rail Study.

Representatives say the study will assess the “major transportation and land use changes” that are expected to occur in the area and it is expected to be completed in summer 2017.

“As a region of 7 million people, which will grow to nearly 11 million by 2040, the Dallas-Fort Worth region must develop transportation options like high-speed rail to meet the needs of commuters and those traveling to or from other metropolitan areas,” said Kevin Feldt, AICP, program manager for NCTCOG. “The station area planning is important to the process because it’s how passengers will interface directly with the high-speed rail service and we’re pleased to be working with the LAN team on the downtown Dallas area study.”

The study is one of three procurement efforts to take place—one study assessing each station location—initiated by NCTCOG associated with the Dallas to Fort Worth high-speed rail development, known as the Core Express Service (CES) corridor. The two other regions being studied are Fort Worth and Arlington, Texas.

The Dallas high-speed rail area planning study will aid NCTCOG, the city of Dallas and additional agencies to:

• Evaluate potential locations of a high-speed rail station to ensure optimal accessibility
• Examine compatibility with the station location and design proposed by Texas Central Partners for the Dallas to Houston high-speed rail system
• Develop a station area plan that advances the city’s economic development opportunities
• Inform elected officials, policy makers and other high-speed rail studies

“LAN is honored to support north Texas as we take steps to bring high-speed rail to our region,” said Chris Masters, P.E., LAN’s vice president rail and transit. “This study is a critical step in assessing the compatibility of the various high speed rail programs and implementing a seamless regional rail system.”

Sub-consultants AZTEC/TYPSA and LEO A DALY are set to support LAN as specialty team members. Representatives say AZTEC/TYPSA will bring expertise in implementing high-speed rail projects worldwide. LEO A DALY is expected to provide land use and economic development services. The team of sub-consultants also includes Bowman Engineering & Consulting, DRW Planning Studio and Civil Associates.