HOUSTON – Mayor Sylvester Turner on Monday announced Northwest Mall as a preferred location for a Texas bullet train stop.
Where will the high speed train travel and where will it stop in Houston?
The plans for the bullet train would bridge the Houston area with Dallas.
The proposed station location is at the Northwest Mall site just west of the interchange of Highway 290 and I-610, and south of W. 18th Street and north of Hempstead Road.
What is the proposed route?
Officials said the Federal Railroad Administration identified the train's preferred route, mostly following transmission lines in a utility corridor between North Texas and Houston, with a Brazos Valley stop to serve the Bryan-College Station area.
You can take a look at possible routes by clicking link here. No final decision has been made.
How many jobs will the railroad create?
Officials said the railroad will create 10,000 jobs during each year of construction and about 1,500 full-time jobs when operations start.
TAKE A PEEK! This is what the Northwest Mall station will look like
Houston bullet train station rendering
Turner had previously said state transportation officials project traffic congestion on I-45 between Houston and Dallas will double by 2035, increasing travel time from about four hours to more than 6 1/2 hours.
How fast will the train go and how long will it take to get to Dallas?
The 200 mph bullet train would make the 240-mile trip in 90 minutes, with a stop near College Station.
VIDEO: Mayor Turner, others announce Northwest Mall as bullet train stop
Texas Central chose Northwest Mall as its preferred site because of minimal environmental and community impact, and ability to connect Houstonians to desired destinations, including the Galleria area.
The city and Texas Central said the project will have a “substantial and long-lasting positive impact on the city’s economy, serve as a catalyst for future growth, create jobs and infuse tax revenue into the state and the local communities.”
How much is a ticket on the train?
Officials have not released an exact price, but say it will average about two-thirds of the cost of airfare to Dallas.
How will the train decrease Houston area traffic?
In addition, the train will help decrease Houston-area traffic by removing 14,630 cars from I-45 each day, Texas Central said.
Watch video of the proposed site and renderings here:
Texas Central Announces Its Houston Bullet Train Station Preferred Location from The Texas Bullet Train on Vimeo.
Texas Central's Environmental Impact Study has a public comment period through March 9 to allow the Federal Railroad Administration to gather public comments and input on the project. More info is at www.fra.dot.gov.
Construction is set to begin in 2019.
Comments can be provided at the remaining public hearings:
Madison County, Monday, Feb. 5, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Truman-Kimbro Convention Center*
111 W. Trinity
Madisonville, TX 77864
*NOTE: this is a change of venue
Harris County, Monday, Feb. 5, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Woodard Elementary School
17501 Cypress North Houston Rd
Cypress, TX 77433
Grimes County, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Navasota Junior High School*
9038 TX-90
Navasota, TX 77868
*NOTE: this is a change of venue
Waller County, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Waller High School
20950 Fields Store Rd
Waller, TX 77484