Same crowd that stopped Trans-Texas Corridor is ready to do the same with proposed bullet train

The proposed bullet train from Dallas to Houston would cut through 11 counties.

Texas Central Partners

One down and another one to go. Fifteen years ago, a group against the Trans-Texas Corridor freeway project prevented crews from breaking ground and permanently disrupting the livelihood of residents along the corridor. Now, many of the same people are trying to stop the construction of a Houston-to-Dallas bullet train.

Many showed up at a rally on Feb. 19 that was also attended by U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, Texas State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst and other state and local officials ready to take the fight to Washington, D.C.

Texas Central Partners wants to build a 240-mile sealed rail corridor from the south of downtown Dallas to Loop 610 and U.S. 290 in Houston. The $15 billion project would cut through 11 counties and would travel alongside a utility corridor.

Texas Central is keeping an option open that would seek federal loans to help pay for the bullet train. However, there also is a need for private financing, and Texas Central has indicated it will not move forward with the project unless private financing is secured. Japanese Shinkansen trains will be used for the high-speed track, and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, which funds the export of Japanese technology, could be a private suitor.

As for the opposition, Texas Central does not appear to be fazed by it, and says it has the support of more than 100 groups and organizations.

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