LEGISLATORS’ LETTER LOOKS TO DERAIL HIGH SPEED RAIL PROJECT

  

A group of Texas lawmakers has signed and sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation, calling for an end to the proposed high-speed rail project.

The letter, authored by District 13 State. Rep. Ben Leman, claims the project’s developer lacks the ‘financial resources and expertise’ to continue with the project.

The letter, also signed by local State Senator Lois Kolkhorst, says to continue with the project, “would be an inexcusable waste of taxpayer dollars and jeopardizes the integrity of the rules making process at the Federal Railroad Administration.”

Last month, Dallas-based Texas Central laid off 28 employees, citing the coronavirus outbreak.  Company CEO Carlos Aguilar said the project would be delayed because of pandemic-related issues with its partners in Italy, Spain and Japan.

The company has said it has already secured 30% of land needed for the project, including 50% of the property needed in Grimes County.

Prior the pandemic, the project’s completion was planned for 2026.

The letters claims further dealings with Texas Central “is simply a waste of taxpayer dollars and resources ... that could otherwise be utilized combating the COVID-19 pandemic.”