Texas high-speed train supporters, opponents continue jockeying

Texas Central Railway is planning a 240-mile high-speed train connecting Houston and Dallas, shown in the rendering above. Texas Central Railway is planning a 240-mile high-speed train connecting Houston and Dallas, shown in the rendering above. Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Texas high-speed train supporters, opponents continue jockeying 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Supporters and opponents of a planned high-speed rail line between Houston and Dallas continue their efforts, though it’s likely the state legislature’s upcoming session starting in January will be the final determinant of the train line’s destiny.

Texas Central Railway on Wednesday released a new study commissioned by the company showed more than 90 percent of potential riders would save an hour of travel time by using the train as opposed to flying or driving. The analysis compared the actual time of travel for each. For air travel, the time used in the study included early arrival at the airport for passenger screening in addition to the flight time.

Further, the study by L.E.K. Consulting concluded nearly five million passengers would use the line annually by 2026. Two-thirds of the 2,000 people polled who have made a Houston-to-Dallas trip in the past year said they would consider using the line on their next trip, if it was available.

“This study demonstrates strong, pent-up demand for better travel options,” said Texas Central CEO Tim Keith, in a statement announcing the results of the study.

Texas Central is proposing the 240-mile train line between the two metro areas. Earlier this summer, Keith said the company was still on pace to start construction in late 2017 or early 2018, though the bulk of work would start later.

Plans call for Japanese-style bullet trains capable of making the journey between Houston and Dallas in 90 minutes. That’s 70 minutes faster than by car and 50 minutes faster than air travel, L.E.K.’s study found. However, when not including the extra time it takes to go through passenger screening at the airport, airlines fly nonstop between Houston and Dallas in 60 minutes.

Photo: Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle People gather to look at maps as they attend a public meeting on...

The rail line, however, faces intense opposition in rural areas where it is planned to cross. A number of counties and their local officials have passed resolutions in opposition to a private company having eminent domain rights.

Earlier this week, Waller County’s sub-regional planning commission – which has already stated its opposition to the train line’s passage through its area – filed a lawsuit in Austin against the Texas Department of Transportation, related to the transportation agency’s refusal to coordinate planning activities related to the line.

TxDOT, under the guidance of the Federal Railroad Administration – which ultimately will approve or deny plans for the line – is the state agency overseeing Texas Central’s environmental plans.

Waller County is claiming its objection and concerns to the line are being ignored, as federal and state officials prepare the environmental review.

“Without meaningful coordination, our community will suffer immediate and irreparable harm and that is totally unacceptable,” Waller County Judge Trey Duhon said in a statement.

In July, the U.S. Surface Transportation Board ruled the proposed line is an intra-state project, meaning more oversight at the state level.

A number of state lawmakers have sided with the local officials concerned about the line, and opinions differ on the company’s current efforts to negotiate with property owners along the route. Some lawmakers have promised to submit legislation during the upcoming state session stripping Texas Central of its eminent domain authority.