Texas Transportation Thread (Roads, Rails & Skies)

Here's where Dallas will build a new subway and streetcar line

Proposed route options for a downtown streetcar line



Proposed route options for downtown Dallas subway

Anday said:

Here's where Dallas will build a new subway and streetcar line

Proposed route options for a downtown streetcar line

Proposed route options for downtown Dallas subway

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I wonder could the city expand the subway route in the future if they wanted to?

zaphod said:

I wish the proposed subway route went more south and east, to increase the additional coverage area.

Right now that side of downtown isn't so lovely but that might change.

Alternatively why no uptown subway? That might be even better for reaching new destinations?

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Always wondered this myself. Would be awesome if a subway line was built the entire stretch of the Katy-Trail

Houston-Dallas bullet train clears hurdle with environmental impact statement

The long-awaited Texas "bullet train" cleared an important hurdle Friday when the Federal Railroad Administration released a draft environmental impact statement identifying a preferred route between Dallas and Houston as well as potential passenger station locations.

The FRA analysis, which took roughly four years to complete, will kick off a consultation and land acquisition process that could eventually link the state's two largest urban and economic centers with a travel time less than 90 minutes at more than 200 mph, with a midway stop in the Brazos Valley near College Station.

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FRA EIS: https://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P1078

Texas High-Speed Train Unveils Passenger Station in Brazos Valley

A couple of questions about THSR. I apologize if these questions have been asked before.

1) Is the main reason for the Brazzos Valley Station for future possible connectivity to Austin and San Antonio, TX? It seems in a good location for a connecting line.

2) Was Was there any attempt to build a station closer to College station or Huntsville... or is it better to stick to the utility alignment (land procurement)?

3) Was there ever a plan to approach Dallas through Waco or build a station close by? It looks like the alignment through Navarro county is about 40mi east of Waco. Land Procurement costs?

4) The station in Dallas looks perfectly situated, but the one in Houston isn't well connected. I imagine this is due to opposition/costs?

5) Is the station location being built with the idea that once the city sees the benefit, they would chip in and make room for a more central station location, or is the city planning on building transit to the rail station?

It looks like the Dallas station is right beside the ROW that appears to be for Amtrak. An elevated guideway over the Amtrak tracks wouldn't be intrusive considering the freeway runs along that corridor as well.

Amtrak partners with Texas Bullet Train for ticketing, access to national routes

Passengers aboard the proposed Texas Bullet Train will have access Amtrak’s national routes thanks to a partnership between the bullet train’s developers and the Washington D.C.-based rail line.

Texas Central Partners and Amtrak have teamed up to offer bullet train tickets through Amtrak’s reservation system. The partnership also will allow Texas Central to access other Amtrak services, including training and marketing and sales offerings, and the two organizations could collaborate on frequent travel programs.

In return, Texas Central will offer transfer service between the bullet train’s and Amtrak’s stations in Dallas and Houston.

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This is TxDOT's latest (as of a week ago) plans for I-35 through downtown Austin. It appears to be up to 22 lanes a la TxDOTs treatment of a section of I-10 through Houston known as The Katy Freeway. Not shown in the video is a section with two levels of tunnels due to a narrow right of away. I'd like to see how those tunneled levels separate then reconnect to the main lanes at ground level. The infamous Upper Decks will be removed. Now the State just needs to come up with $8 billion to pay for it. Sections of I-35 just North and South of Downtown have been U/C for a couple years to make room for more lanes. Overpasses, entrances, exits and frontage roads are being rebuilt ahead of this expansion.

Screen Cap from video:

Both Austin & San Antonio airports set passenger records

17.3 million passengers out of ABIA in 2019

https://www.dallasnews.com/business...rly-10-setting-record-for-10th-straight-year/

10.3 million passengers out of San Antonio International Airport

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.ex...rport-says-passenger-count-up-in-15011794.php

NEVER BUILT: A visionary 1980s plan to rebuild DFW Airport

In 1989, a proposal was put forward to demolish DFW's characteristic semi-circular terminals and replace them with linear terminals. This two-part article retells the story, featuring many cool images, layouts and artist's impressions!

Part 1: NEVER BUILT: A visionary plan to rebuild DFW - Part 1
Part 2: https://www.airporthistory.org/dfw-rebuild-2.html

What do you think, should they have build it?