“I am thrilled … absolutely ecstatic,” said Temple Mayor Bill Jones III. “It’s very positive that the senator sees this anchored in Central Texas - the Temple/Killeen/Fort Hood area. That’s our plan … that’s exactly the way we want the plan to be structured.”
During a press conference at the Easterwood Airport in College Station, Hutchison said she thinks this vision will help stop the congestion in urban areas of Texas. She said she hopes some of the $8 billion in federal stimulus money set aside this year for high-speed rail projects could be used for the Texas route.
The proposed Texas T-Bone High Speed Rail route would consist of two perpendicular rail lines: one that would operate from San Antonio to the Dallas/Fort Worth area with several stops between, and one that would start in Houston, go through College Station, connect with the other line in Killeen and continue to Fort Hood, according to a press release from Hutchison’s office.
Jones said it shows Hutchison is committed to Central Texas as part of the high-speed rail route. He has no problem with any plan that brings the route through the Temple/Killeen/Fort Hood area, even if Temple is not the hub, he said.
The Temple City Council on Thursday approved the articles of incorporation and bylaws for the South Central High-Speed Rail and Transportation Authority Inc., a local government corporation whose purpose is to promote high-speed rail passenger service in Texas.
In April, the council decided to form the corporation, which is seeking a contract with the state to implement high-speed rail service through the city to other areas of the state.
The Bryan-College Station Eagle contributed to this report.
