Texas high-speed railway project gets go ahead

The Texas Supreme Court has ruled in favour of Texas Central LCC to build a railway for high-speed travel between Dallas and Houston, US. The project will be developed by Texas Central whilst the contractor Webuild, and its subsidiary Lane, will build all of the civil works.

The US$30 billion project has faced numerous issues since the Texas Central Railway company was founded in 2009 including financial problems, the CEO resigning, and unpaid property taxes.

Half the line will be along a viaduct (Photo: AdobeStock)

The contract, signed last year, foresees the design and construction of 379km of high-speed railway that will enable trains to travel between Dallas and Greater Houston in approximately 90 minutes. 

The line, which would be one of the biggest infrastructure projects under development in the US, is said to benefit at least 100,000 commuters who every week travel by air or car between Houston and Dallas – reducing 101,000 tonnes fewer CO2 emissions.

Webuild says that the contract includes the construction of the track system, the viaduct and embankment sections, the buildings for maintenance services, as well as train yards and warehouses with half of the line along a viaduct.

It is currently estimated that construction will be complete by 2026.