Texas Central CEO tells Congressional Committee they're 'ready to break ground' on high-speed rail project

Texas Central President and CEO Carlos Aguilar has received accolades from U.S. Congressman Colin Allred (D-Dallas) for his recent address to the House Transportation Committee. 

Aguilar spoke about the Dallas-to-Houston high-speed rail project during the May 6 hearing. 

"High-speed rail between Dallas and Houston will create jobs and further connect our economies with 90-minute trips each way. I'm proud to lead in Congress in support of this project, and I thank @TexasCentral for testifying in our Transportation Committee hearing last week," Allred wrote in a tweet earlier this week. 

Aguilar told lawmakers on the committee that the high-speed rail project looks to meet the challenges presented by climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and competition from other countries in terms of economy and technology. He asserted the project is "ready to go."

"Texas Central has, over many years, competed and recruited the best of the best expert companies from around the United States, and the whole World and we are proud and excited to present to your consideration, a high-speed rail project that is ready to break ground the second financing is finalized," he told the committee. 

Aguilar said I-45 between Dallas and Houston has "one of the highest fatality rate per mile of any highway in the country."

"This is unacceptable and it is one of the principal reasons that Texans are demanding better, safer transportation choices and options," he told the committee. 

Aguilar said all the company needs now is for the Administration to "say the word" and work with them to "transform American transportation" and come through with "high-tech green jobs."

Texas Central is hoping to replicate the Japanese Tokaido Shinkansen high-speed rail system in Texas, though there is stiff opposition from landowners who are reluctant to give the right of way.

'Texans Against High-Speed Rail' said Texas landowners who do not want to grant access to their land claim it will cause a reduction in property values, an increase in ambient noise, more light and destruction of wildlife habitats.