Amtrak makes its case for high-speed rail from Houston to Dallas at Southwestern Rail Conference

DALLAS, Texas (KBTX) - For the first time since announcing its partnership with Texas Central Railway, Amtrak met with KBTX to discuss its plans to introduce high-speed rail to the area, aiming to revolutionize transportation in Texas and beyond.

At the Southwestern Rail Conference, hosted by the nonprofit Texas Rail Advocates, Andy Byford, senior vice president of high-speed rail for Amtrak, shared details of the project’s current status, addressing key elements such as service development plans, community engagement, land acquisition and funding.

Byford outlined the three stages of the Corridor Identification (CID) program, emphasizing the ongoing development of a service development plan (SDP). He expressed optimism about completing this phase by mid-June, highlighting the collaborative effort with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to provide necessary information in a timely manner.

Community engagement emerged as a central theme, with Byford acknowledging the diverse array of opinions surrounding the project. He underscored Amtrak’s commitment to transparency, citing ongoing efforts to address concerns raised by stakeholders, including local elected officials and residents.

“We understand that not everyone is a fan of the project. We understand that this is a democracy, people are entitled to their views and we understand also as Amtrak that we have to make the case. And you can’t just, you know, force these things through. You’ve got to properly explain the benefits of a project and you’ve got to properly consult with communities and with elected officials,” said Byford.

“Political will is always the other big challenge. Can you get sufficient political support, which is in itself a reflection of community support?” Byford added.

He says the necessity for the project stems from anticipated population growth and escalating congestion on existing transportation arteries like I-35 and I-45. Byford emphasized the urgency of exploring alternatives to mitigate future congestion on interstates and at airports, positioning high-speed rail as a proven solution employed in developed countries worldwide.

“I think time is of the essence and I think I see that in a macro way as well as a micro. And the reason I say that, is I think this goes beyond just Dallas to Houston. I think as a nation, and obviously, I’m a newcomer to the nation, but I think the alternative is to condemn Americans to ever more crowded interstates, to condemn taxpayers, to just paying for ever-widening highways and potentially using ever-more crowded airports,” Byford added.

Despite encountering pushback, he says Amtrak remains persistent in its commitment to the project’s success. Byford stressed the importance of understanding and addressing differing viewpoints while highlighting the potential benefits for the majority.

“I don’t think the interstates would’ve ever been built if you tried to please absolutely everyone. I think sometimes what you’re aiming to do is to at least hear people out, hear their point of view and give them a courtesy of going to see them, hearing and trying to address their concerns,” said Byford. “It’s not always possible to please everyone. If what you are trying to do is deliver a public good, that ultimately does benefit the majority,’ said Byford.

Regarding land acquisition, Byford provided detailed insights, indicating that roughly 30% of the required land has been procured by Texas Central. Negotiations are ongoing for the remaining parcels.

Challenges persist, including securing political support, finalizing funding and acquiring the remaining right-of-way. However, Byford exuded confidence in the project’s potential and the robust demand for high-speed rail, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“One of the first things Amtrak did in taking over the project was to undertake research to see if the demand was still there post-COVID,” said Byford.

“So our forecast, the actual forecast in terms of the projected ridership is very strong. And that’s important because that means that you can then make a business case for the capital investment to raise the funding in the private markets and in the public sector in order to actually then stick a spade in the ground and make this thing a reality,” Byford added.

Byford says if all goes well the project could be completed in the early 2030s.

“If we are successful in putting together that funding package, which will itself take about a year, then we will be looking to open in the early 2030s and get the line open. And that includes testing, commissioning, trial operations and everything else that you have to do,” said Byford. “So watch this space. There are still a lot of big hurdles to overcome. But I really do think that if we can pull it off, it will be an absolute jewel in Texas’s crown,” Byford added.

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