Texas Central Reveals “Preferred Location” for its Houston Bullet Train Station

Texas Central has announced its preferred location for the Houston bullet train station, at the Northwest Mall site near the interchange of US 290 and Interstate 610.

The terminal will be ideally located in a high-growth area, with easy access to employment centers, including the Galleria, the Energy Corridor, the Medical Center and downtown. The station not only will be a catalyst for economic growth but it also will offer a convenient, efficient and direct network for passengers to and from local transit systems.

Houston-to-North Texas Bullet Train

The selection comes about a month after the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) released an extensive environment analysis, the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, which said the 200-mph, Houston-to-North Texas train would alleviate the strain on the state’s existing infrastructure and is needed to accommodate growing demand.

The bullet train is expected to remove 14,630 cars daily from Interstate 45, which will save 8.5 million gallons of gas a year. Also, the train will be using the safest technology in the world, while I-45 is the second deadliest highway in America.

Mayor Sylvester Turner said:

Houston continues to grow. Growing the smart way includes providing a wider choice of transportation options that goes well beyond more private vehicles and more roads. The Texas Bulletin Train project fits the transportation paradigm shift I have called for, and now with the selection of a preferred location for the Houston station, we are one big step closer to boarding for an exciting trip to the Brazos Valley and on to Dallas.

Houston Bullet Train Station

In the DEIS, the FRA outlined three station options in northwest Houston, including the mall site. Texas Central has named it as their preferred site because of minimal environmental and community impact and ability to connect Houstonians to desired destinations.

Also, it allows the high-speed train largely to follow existing rights of way, while providing passengers with easy, efficient roadway access and connectivity with METRO’s Northwest Transit Center. Studies show the center of Houston’s population base is growing north and west of the Central Business District.

Economic Benefits

Federal regulators, in the environmental report, cited the Houston station’s many economic benefits, including an increase in property values within a half-mile of the terminal as a result of the train project. That’s in addition to new and related transit-oriented development in the area.

The report provides additional guidance as the project moves into its construction phase, minimizing impacts on the environment and communities along the 240-mile path. The train will create 10,000 jobs during each year of construction and about 1,500 full-time jobs when operations start.

Local companies also will benefit, through building the system and maintenance facilities, supplying materials and providing long-term support for the state’s newest industry. And Texas Central is committed to local sourcing for its workforce and materials.

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