The city of Dallas has decided to delay its plans to establish a high-speed rail connection to Fort Worth.
Understanding the specifics of how, where, and when the high-speed rail project might traverse Dallas has proven challenging for many.
In a meeting on Wednesday, members of the Dallas City Council expressed reservations and withheld support for a proposed high-speed rail line connecting Dallas to Fort Worth, pending a thorough assessment of its potential economic impact.
By a unanimous 14-0 vote, the council approved a resolution opposing the construction of any new elevated passenger rail routes through the Central Business District until an economic impact study is completed by early 2025.
District 2 councilmember Jesse Moreno underscored the resolution’s intent, stating, “My hope is that this resolution will clearly communicate that the city of Dallas does not currently endorse the above-ground alignment that has been proposed.”
The decision follows the presentation of a potential 30-mile route by the Regional Transportation Council (RTC), which oversees long-range transportation planning within the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG). During the presentation, concerns were raised by councilmembers and developers regarding the proposed elevated route passing through southwest downtown, an area earmarked for hotel development alongside plans for a new convention center.
District 6 councilmember Omar Narvaez, who represents Dallas on the RTC, emphasized the city’s partnership with the organization and announced plans for a workshop in September to explore alternative routes for the high-speed rail connection between Dallas and Fort Worth.
“We can take a pause, slow down, or whatever you want to call it, and that’s acceptable because we need to ensure we make the right decisions,” Narvaez remarked. “This project will have long-lasting implications for Dallas, potentially shaping its future for the next century.”
