Aguilar spoke about the Dallas-to-Houston high-speed rail project that would “transform mobility” between the two cities.
“High-speed rail between Dallas and Houston will create jobs and further connect our economies with 90-minute trips each way,” Allred wrote in a May 11 tweet. “I’m proud to lead in Congress in support of this project, and I thank @TexasCentral for testifying in our Transportation Committee hearing last week.”
Aguilar told lawmakers on the committee that the HSR project looks to meet the challenges presented by climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and competition from other countries in terms of economy and technology. He asserted the project is “ready to go.”
“We are ready to plant the seed of this high-tech industry in the U.S., which will allow our country to lead in high-speed rail technology and leapfrog the early lead of China and other major powers in this critical industry,” he said in his address to the committee.
Aguilar said Interstate 45 between Dallas and Houston has “one of the highest fatality rates per mile of any highway in the country.”
“This is unacceptable and it is one of the principal reasons that Texans are demanding better, safer transportation choices and options,” he told members of Congress.
Texas Central is hoping to replicate the Japanese Tokaido Shinkansen high-speed rail system in Texas, though there is stiff opposition from landowners who are reluctant to give the right of way.
‘Texans Against High-Speed Rail’ said landowners do not want to grant access to their land, claiming it will cause a reduction in property values, increase ambient noise and light pollution, and destroy wildlife habitats.
The $24 billion project was supposed to be finished this year, but has had some major setbacks.