Texas’ Long-Awaited Bullet Train Plans to Start Construction

Can you reconcile this map for me. It's from the latest map links in the OP. It shows what seems like three forks, one ending at Old Katy, close to Post Oak. Are those three possibilities of the station?

http://www.texascentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Harris_County_5.pdf

 

https://www.texascentral.com/safety-security/

The Project will utilize the safest technology in the world, with a proven track record of moving BILLIONS of people over 50 years without a single injury during operation.


The train will be “grade separated,” which means it will cross over or under all public roads. There will be no cars waiting for trains to pass and no risk of trains interacting with cars. Therefore, there will be no crossing arms, no whistles and no loud horn – a very quiet experience for everyone.


The Texas Bullet Train will be completely new construction and ‘purpose built infrastructure’ specifically designed for the Shinkansen. There will be no other trains operating on the system and trains will only operate in one direction on each track, either northbound or southbound.


This train is being designed with safety at the heart of every decision. There is a CULTURE of safety as we build and operate this system.​

The original estimates I had read said it would take 4-5 years to build.

https://www.texascentral.com/infrastructure/

The current design of the system calls for more than 50 percent of the 240-miles of tracks to be elevated on viaducts in order to preserve access for landowners. Where viaducts are not feasible for elevation, the system will run mostly on elevated berms. Both options, however, allow for the design of large and conveniently located underpasses or overpasses. Though large in magnitude, the railroad will only require a small footprint similar to a typical two-lane farm to market road, and will follow existing right-of-way to the maximum extent possible. It may be wider in places to improve access for adjacent landowners, emergency response, or where maintenance-of-way facilities, power substations or signal huts are constructed near the track.​

 

Looks like an unloading path, a loading path, and an express ramp to bus terminal/access to I10 HOV lanes.

 

hmm...in Stuttgart the trains come in and out on same path ... two engines.

 

This kind of gives the location better. The station itself is going to be where Northwest Mall is, apparently :

https://www.texascentral.com/2018/02/05/houston-bullet-train-station-location-announced/

 

A video about this train popped up on my YouTube timeline.

It’s an 11 minute watch. Roads will go over and under it so the train doesn’t have to slow down or anything.

 

Too bad it’s the one place I wouldn’t want to go in less than 90 minutes

 

Texas, no doubt. California's high speed train might not ever get done. Public vs. private makes all the difference.

 

Finally!

 

I've heard 10 years, but it's anyone's guess, at this point. I expect the usual delays, especially with a project this big.

 

Yeah, 290 took 4 - 5 years of my life. Imagine how long it's going to take for them to consider and then break
ground on any further expansion on any "desirable destinations" (i.e. Austin, New Orleans). This is **** to me personally in my sad and foreseeable existence

Thanks however for the info on the confirmation on the elevated rail confirmation

 

I tried looking at the map @heypartner posted and it's hard to determine, but all points on the map confirm taking over Northwest Mall as a transit hub in Houston

 

DELETE

 

In terms of tourism, I mean its a win for Dallas

Its close to Uptown in terms of miles in a car. You cant walk to anything from that location. Dallas' location is already downtown with light rail access

 

May be that way. At least one of the paths looks to be to the bus terminal/ I10 access which will not be a bullet train line.

 

Tell me about it. Now that my son is at A&M, I make the up and down trip to College Staion a few times each semester.

 

That's fair, I am a bit surprised at your reluctance to try it given that your Northwest Houston location likely means you will save significant time over flying if you were to use it.

And I noticed you were worried about noise, this would be significantly quieter than freight trains which run all over Houston and there would be no horn as they would not traverse any road crossings.

If they do it right (who knows if they will) the station would act like an airport with rental car and parking at the station, as well as other developments. They wouldn't just drop you off in nothingness.

I too have my reservations about the station being in this area as opposed to downtown or even closer to uptown, but I think part of the play here to make this thing profitable is the real estate angle, where they own/develop the land surrounding the station. A good example of this model is the AAF train in Florida.

 

True, hopefully i won't hear a peep out of it and suburban life will go on for me without interruptions.

I will eventually use it one day, probably for work. But I also get overtime "if" i travel during off work hours (i.e.: Sundays), so i would get paid more to fly and earn mileage points. Double win

 

Oh no...I thought we were going to get to ride pods in a tube tunnel (kind of like "Logan's Run")? Wasn't that one of the proposals? Did it get nixed?