AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will host three meetings to receive comments from the public on the proposed DFW Core Express Service, the proposed 32-mile, high-speed/express rail line between Dallas and Fort Worth. TxDOT and the FRA are gathering public comments to include in the rail line’s official Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
The public is invited to share input on potential track routes, station locations and any potential impacts such a line could have on the environment. The public scoping meetings are part of the public comment period that is required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
“Receiving feedback from the public will provide TxDOT and the FRA with the information needed to conduct a thorough environmental and economic assessment of the project,” said Bill Meadows, chairman of the Commission for High-Speed Rail in the Dallas/Fort Worth region. “The transparency of the public comment period will also ensure all federal and state guidelines are met for this proposal.”
All meetings will cover the same topics and follow the same format: a public information open house followed by a brief presentation and opportunity for comment. Those unable to attend the meetings in person can still submit comments to official EIS online. The public comment period will remain open until Dec. 15, 2014.
Public Scoping Meeting Schedule
Tuesday, Nov. 18
4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (6 p.m. presentation, 6:30 p.m. public comments)
Fort Worth Intermodal Transportation Center
Second Floor Community Meeting Room
1001 Jones Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Wednesday, Nov. 19
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (12:30 p.m. presentation, 1 p.m. public comments)
North Central Texas Council of Government
Transportation Council Room
616 Six Flags Drive, Arlington, Texas 76005
Thursday, Nov. 20
4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (6 p.m. presentation, 6:30 public comments)
Erik Jonsson Central Library (Downtown)
First Floor Auditorium
1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX 75201
More information on the project can be found at TxDOT.gov.