High-speed rail project enters NEPA environmental phase

The project that would link Fort Worth and Dallas by high-speed rail has officially entered the federal environmental analysis phase and is on track to be environmentally cleared within a year. In a letter dated March 4, the Federal Transit Administration granted a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Class of Action Determination to the project, enabling the environmental assessment to begin.

Through the Dallas-Fort Worth High-Speed Transportation Connections Study, high-speed rail along IH 30 emerged as the preferred method to connect people seamlessly from throughout the region to the planned Dallas-to-Houston route via a one-seat ride, where passengers between Fort Worth and Houston could board a single train to reach their destination.

NCTCOG has conducted over 200 meetings, giving the public, local governments and other stakeholders the chance to participate along the way. Input from the public and various stakeholders will be counted on throughout the NEPA analysis phase and beyond to implement the right project for North Texas.

Once the corridor is environmentally cleared, it has the potential to attract future private investment. Combined with the planned high-speed rail line from Dallas to Houston, the North Texas project would lay the groundwork for a system of high-speed trains that could connect passengers to other metropolitan areas throughout the state and nation.