Cameron County Judge Suplevada announced that the new US-Mexico bridge will open in July. Background:
- The new US- Mexico bridge is the first in 100 years
- It’s original opening date was April 2015
- What’s holding up the bridge: an x-ray unit that was relocated on the Mexican side
- Union Pacific will operate rail movements on the US Side
- Kansas City Southern Mexico will run rail movement on the Mexico Side
Posted inrailways
14 elected officials have asked the Texas Congressional to request federal regulators stop high speed rail in Texas. The blessing of federal regulators will garner eminent domain powers for the high speed rail. Simultaneously, TXDOT has created a high speed rail commission led by Ft. Worth businessman Bill Meadows to explore extending the Dallas-Houston jhigh speed rail to Arlington and Ft. Worth.
Posted ineminent domain, legislative trend, railways
While Texas Central Railway openly talks to landowners, California is building a state financed high speed rail. On Friday, California’s Public Works Board voted to condemn 38 more pieces of property. in total, the state has condemned 192 land parcels to build high speed rail. In total, they need 1,300 parcels of property. The very next day Texas Central Railway … Texas Central Rail is keeping a up a public meeting schedule. On Saturday April 11, 2015, they held a meeting in Montgomery County. the Highlights: Eminent Domain Building the high speed rail will grant a private entity, the Texas Central Railway, the power of eminent domain. Private entities with eminent domain are out of vogue in Texas. Public Funding Opposition claims that if ridership goals are not met, public funds will be applied to the project.
A new rail bridge is opening near Brownsville, which has been trying for 15 years to move the current Matamoros rail track out of downtown Brownsville. The move will improve safety by eliminating 14 car crossings. A security checkpoint in Mexico will screen train traffic in both directions until the US security station is moved from its current location. Mexico paid $80M of the cost and local governemtns in the U.S. $40M.
Posted inrailways
Texas Central High-Speed Railway accnounced a dozen public meetings from April 9th to the 24th to clear the air. A nonprofit group of archeologists in Florida are vocalizing opposition to a high speed rail plan because the high speed rail will block their ability to recover artifacts. Other opposition includes: Their lawsuit in federal court asks the court to void the bonds backing the high speed rail. Squeaking by in a 5-4 vote, Senate Transportation Committee passed SB 1601 by Kolkhorst. the bill removes eminent domain authority for high speed rail. The High Speed Rail proponents say federal law, alone, doesn’t provide the tools that will help them to build their rail. More and more big trucks are on the roads, hauling goods to and fro. Good for the economy. Bad for public safety according to troopers who the New York times labels as unwittingly lobbying for an increase in rail. Naturally the rail industry wants more rail and the trucking industry wants more and bigger trucks on the road. The rail industry is ginning up support from troopers through a non-profit. 14 Elected Officials Want to Stop High Speed Rail. TXDOT forms Commission to Grow High Speed Rail.
California Condemns More Land for High Speed Rail. TX High Speed Rail Replies- Texas is NOT California.
4 Points from Texas Central Rail Public April Meetings
3 Reasons to Oppose High Speed Rail
How long does it take to build a new rail between TX & Mexico? 100 + years
High Speed Rail. High Speed Misinformation Campaign Alleged.
Posted in2015 legislation, legislative trend, railways
Legal Trend: Archeologists Get Involved in Rail Opposition
Trend: High Speed Rail Prohibited from Using Eminent Domain
Truckers v. Conductors: A Transportation Cage Fight