Feds approve Texas high-speed rail corridor

PHOTOS: Routes for a potential Houston-Dallas bullet train A federal authority gave approval to developers' preferred corridor for Texas' planned high-speed rail--the "utility corridor," a 240-mile long swath, 70 percent of which follows high-voltage power lines, providing easier access to power and easing problems with right-of-way acquisitions. The corridor is wide; now the company must design a precise route.

Take a detailed look at some of the locations the proposed Houston-Dallas bullet train may pass through ... less PHOTOS: Routes for a potential Houston-Dallas bullet train A federal authority gave approval to developers' preferred corridor for Texas' planned high-speed rail--the "utility corridor," a 240-mile long swath, ... more Image 1 of / 45 Caption Close Feds approve Texas high-speed rail corridor 1 / 45 Back to Gallery

The Federal Railroad Administration approved the rail corridor preferred by the developers of a Dallas-Houston bullet train. Now a final route must be plotted within the chosen corridor.

In a 16-page report, the administration gave its blessing to the so-called "utility corridor," which follows high-voltage power lines for 70 percent of its length. That will give the rail line easy access to electrical power and reduce issues of right-of-way.

It's another big step for Dallas-based Texas Central Partners, which last month announced raising the first $75 million of the $10 billion project from private investors. Now that the 240-mile corridor is selected, the company will be able to host meetings with communities along the line as it seeks to finalize a route.

RELATED: Texas high speed rail passes major milestone with first fundraising announcement

"As we identify that final alignment, we will know which parcels are effective and which landowners we will engage with," TCO CEO Tim Keith told the Dallas Morning News.

But they are sure to face big problems; most of the land beyond the utility lines is privately owned, and several groups have vowed that TCP will have to fight to get the property it needs for a clear route between Texas' two biggest cities.

However, the railroad company has the power to evoke eminent domain, and could legally seize land that owners decline to sell. Company leaders have said eminent domain would only be used as a last resort if negotiations fail.

The rail, the first of its kind in the United States, would run a high-speed Japanese train between Houston and Dallas in 90 minutes, often at a price comparable to inter-city air travel. The company kicked off the project in January 2014.

RELATED: Things you should know about that high-speed rail proposal

In its report, the FRA said it endorsed the utility corridor because it "is generally straight and would not require many divergences for curves or to avoid crossing the utility lines. Additionally, a reduction in the train speed is not anticipated due to the limited number of curves along the Utility Corridor."

The report also evaluated three other corridors, and tallied the number of stream crossings, wetland acres, floodplain acres, historic properties, archaeological sites, parks or managed habitats that each would cross.

The utility corridor does not currently extend into central Houston or Dallas, where rail stations are planned.