HIGH-SPEED RAIL OPPOSITION GROUP: TEXAS CENTRAL ‘NOT ANYWHERE CLOSE TO CONSTRUCTING THIS PROJECT’

  

The leader of a group opposing Texas Central’s high-speed rail line that would connect Houston and Dallas claims the project is “not anywhere close” to construction.

While the Texas Supreme Court recently refused to hear an appeal of its decision to not challenge Texas Central’s recognition as a railroad company, Trey Duhon, president of Texans Against High Speed Rail (TAHSR), said on social media Saturday that his group plans to file a motion for rehearing on that case.

Duhon also stated that Texas Central does not have the funds to build the project, saying the organization recently asked to be included in Congress’ infrastructure bill.

In addition, Duhon said Texas Central has not yet filed an application with the Surface Transportation Board (STB), a year after the board said construction could not begin until a full application for the project was submitted.

A federal lawsuit filed by TAHSR against the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is ongoing.  The lawsuit challenges the FRA’s final environmental impact statement, which allows the type of train that Texas Central plans to use to be deployed anywhere in the United States.

Texas Central recently announced contracts with Webuild to oversee heavy construction of the project, as well as Renfe Operadora to serve as the project’s early operator.

The project has been criticized by citizens and representatives in the counties along the rail’s proposed route, which would include a stop in the Roans Prairie area of Grimes County.