Brady Helps Secure Extended Comment Period for Texas High Speed Rail Debate

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently announced they will extend the comment period to March 9th, 2018 - an additional 17 days - for the Dallas to Houston High-Speed Rail Draft Environmental Impact Statement. This announcement follows Congressman Brady’s official request to the FRA to extend the comment period. U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady released the following statement: 

While an additional seventeen days is helpful, this is the first High Speed Rail project in Texas and a thorough comment period is necessary. That’s why I asked the Federal Railroad Administration for an additional forty-five days in order to give citizens and local officials more time to respond to this project. 

My staff and I remain committed to ensuring that Texas Central Rail (TCR) does not complete their proposed project between Houston and Dallas against the wishes of a majority of the residents of Grimes, Madison, and Leon Counties. 

Official Press Release from DallasHoustonHSR: 
February 23, 2018 

Comment Period Extension and Additional Public Hearing for the Dallas - Houston High-Speed Rail Draft Environmental Impact Statement In response to stakeholder requests, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is extending the comment period for the Dallas to Houston High-Speed Rail Draft Environmental Impact Statement. FRA is extending the comment period for an additional 17 days, from February 20, 2018, to March 9, 2018. 

Comment Submission: Submit comments to Kevin Wright, Environmental Protection Specialist, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE MS-20, Washington, D.C. 20590. Comments can also be submitted online at www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0700 or via email to[email protected]. 

Additional Public Hearing: Comments may also be provided orally or in writing at the public hearing scheduled on March 5, 2018 at the time and location listed below. Before the public hearing presentation begins, an open house will be held to allow for comments, questions and review of project exhibits. FRA and Texas Central High Speed Railway (TCRR) staff will be available to answer questions at that time. The public hearing presentation will begin at 6 pm, followed by a public comment period. 

- Monday, March 5, 2018, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sheraton Houston Brookhollow Hotel, 3000 North Loop West, Houston, TX 77092 

Draft EIS: The Draft Environmental Impact Statement is available on the FRA project website (https://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0700) and at the locations listed on the website. 

For additional information: Contact Kevin Wright, Environmental Protection Specialist, at the address shown above or by telephone: 202-493-0845 or email: [email protected].