Category Archives: railways

LOCAL TREND. County Permits to Build Rail. 5 Legislators Comment.

Which County wants to require county permits before construction on high speed rail may begin? Grimes County, Texas

Is the proposal supported by state lawmakers? Yes. Support has been indicated by Sen. Schwertner, Rep. Schubert, Sen. Birdwell, Rep. Ashby & Sen. Kolkhorst

What would trigger a permit? Any construction crossing a county right of way

What would the application include? A requirement that the entity has state or federal authority to use eminent domain

Are other counties…

How One County Filled a Rail Revenue Deficit with a Property Tax Increase. Special Districts.

The County: Dade County Florida

The revenue deficit: In 2002, the County promised that an 8% increase in sales tax rate would build 90 miles of rail. They’ve built 3 miles.

Are property taxes going to go up? No, the property taxes near the proposed rail lines will be captured by special districts.

Are P3s involved? Yes. The transportation special districts will work with private interests to  pursue private financing & operation of new transit projects within the special…

3 Ways to Legislatively Stop High Speed Rail

Potential Legislation for the 2017 Texas Legislature to Stop Texas Central Rail from using Eminent Domain:

  • Prohibit Texas Central from exercising eminent domain authority
  • Prevent Texas Central from using private lands for the project, if a 3rd party exercises eminent domain
  • Rep. Metcalf’s proposal to require elected officials in every city & county along the proposed route to approve it

KHOU | High-speed rail opponents hope to block project next year

2017 Calling. List of Legislators Speaking up. High Speed Rail.

  • Senator Birdwell:
    •  “I consider this issue far from resolved and I reiterate my steadfast opposition to the project — both for individual landowners who will be harmed by it in the short term and for the Texas taxpayers who will likely be asked to subsidize it in the long term.”
  • State Representative Will Metcalf:
    • “Fortunately for landowners and all who value property rights, the Surface Transportation Board made the right decision and declined oversight,” Metcalf said in a…

10 New Routes for Texas High Speed Rail Released

What entities released 10 new high speed rail routes? Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)

Is there public comment on the 10 routes? Yes, a 45 day public comment period

The purpose of improved rail on these routes? “Providing efficient, more reliable and faster higher-speed passenger rail options to move between cities is crucial for the economy and the population”

Which geographic areas have new proposed routes? 

  • Northern Section -…

2 Reasons the Surface Transportation Board Declines Oversight of Texas Central High Speed Rail

The proposed high speed rail between Houston and Dallas will not be under the oversight of the Surface Tranportation Board because:

  • The project is completely within Texas precluding oversight by the federal Surface Transportation Board
  • Connectivity to Amtrack, the argument for federal oversight, was not persuasive

Is this decision permanement? No, if Texas Central “develop[s] concrete plans that would make the Line part of the interstate rail network…”

Houston Chronicle | Federal…

Texas Hyperloop. Yes to Royalties. No to Eminent Domain. The Informed intel:

The start up:    Transonic Transportation LLC

The rail project:   A hyperloop connecting Austin & San Antonio

The use of royalties instead of eminent domain: Instead of acquiring land, the model involves giving dividends and profit sharing to landowners

The pro-private proeprty rights angle: Since hyperloop track would be build on pylons, there is no barrier to access to land, unlike when tracks are laid on the ground.

San Antonio Business Journal | Exclusive: Making way for…