May 4, 2020 - TRA Newswire -

Today through Wednesday, the Federal Railroad Administration is conducting public hearings by phone on the proposed safety and operating standards for Texas Central Railway.

You can have your say about the FRA's “Notice of Particular Applicability” for the Texas Central high speed rail project, specific safety and standards that the agency would adopt for trains running up to 205mph. Once adopted, it puts construction for the 240-mile long high speed rail line one step closer.

Click HERE to be directed to the 61 page proposed rule.

Individuals can speak for up to two minutes Monday between 4 and 9 p.m. CDT, Tuesday between 5 and 9 p.m. CDT, and Wednesday between 5 and 9 p.m. CDT.

Additional information from the Federal Railroad Administration website:

Texas Central plans to operate from Dallas to Houston, on dedicated track, with no grade crossings, at speeds not to exceed 330 km/h (205 mph). Rolling stock, track, and core systems will replicate the Central Japan Railway Company (JRC), Tokaido Shinkansen high-speed rail system, and will be used exclusively for revenue passenger service.

Hearing 1, May 4, 2020, from 5 p.m. (EDT) to 10 p.m. (EDT):
Phone number: 844–721–7241; participant access code: 6322460.

Hearing 2, May 5, 2020, from 6 p.m. (EDT) to 10 p.m. (EDT):
Phone number: 844–721–7241; participant access code: 6441451.

Hearing 3, May 6, 2020, from 6 p.m. (EDT) to 10 p.m. (EDT):
Phone number: 844–291–5491; participant access code: 8976262.

Please note that when members of the public call into the phone line, they will be automatically muted. During opening remarks, the operator will provide verbal instructions on how to indicate a desire to give a comment.

These instructions will be repeated several times during the call. Participants who wish to make a comment will need to follow the operator’s instructions to enter a command on their telephone keypad. After they enter the command, they will be placed in line on a first come, first served basis. When it is their turn to speak, the commenter will receive instructions that their line is open and they can provide their comment.