JUDGE RULES ON GRIMES COUNTY, TEXAS CENTRAL SURVEY ISSUE

  

Grimes County officials say they have another victory against the high-speed bullet train planned to connect Dallas to Houston.

On Tuesday, Grimes County Judge Ben Leman made an announcement that a court granted an injunction preventing Texas Central Railway from conducting land surveys.

Grimes County took Texas Central to court after they say a contractor surveying land on the company’s behalf damaged roads.

However, Texas Central maintains that the judge's order does not ban surveys, it simply prohibits performing surveys or other studies which damage, alter or impair county-maintained rights of way.

Texas Central says they will continue the surveys and that they will be conducted in line with state and local rules.

Grimes County officials say the ruling effectively confirms that Texas Central does not have eminent domain authority, because they do not have the ability to conduct surveys that impair or damage the county rights of way.