FEDERAL RULING ON HIGH-SPEED RAIL

  

A federal ruling places the jurisdiction over whether a high speed rail from Dallas to Houston is built on the State of Texas.

The U.S. Surface Transportation Board ruled Monday, the 240-mile high-speed rail connecting the two major cities, doesn't require federal approval because it "would be constructed and operated entirely within the State of Texas and would not be part of the interstate rail network."

The proposed rail would go through the eastern portion of the Brazos Valley with a stop in Grimes County.

Congressman Kevin Brady, who is fighting against the building of the line, applauded the decision.

Brady says the ruling "ensures that Texas, not Washington, decides the fate of a project hurting rural communities and landowners.”

The line is being proposed by a private company, Texas Central.

Supporters of the line, many of whom are in the Houston and Dallas area, cite a new, fast mode of transportation that would take people between the state's two largest cities in 90 minutes. Opponents, many of whom are residents and elected representatives of rural areas, are concerned about the line running through their property and land that may be taken for the project.