A. Lee Graham
Reporter
Fort Worth residents may speak out on the proposed high-speed/express rail service between Fort Worth and Dallas at one of three meetings called to hear public input.
Hosting the meetings are the Texas Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration, hoping to gain comment on the proposed 32-mile DFW Core Express Service.
The agencies are gathering public comments to include in the rail line’s official environmental impact statement.
Public input is sought on potential track routes, station locations and any potential impacts such a line could have on the environment. The meetings are part of the public comment period required by the National Environmental Policy Act.
“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, commenting in a news release.
“The transparency of the public comment period will also ensure all federal and state guidelines are met for this proposal,” Meadows said.
All meetings will cover the same topics and follow the same format, with 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 at http://www.txdot.gov/contact-us/form.html?id=rpsm-email. The public comment period will remain open until Dec. 15, 2014.
The meeting schedule is as follows:
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 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 Governments
Transportation Council Room
616 Six Flags Drive, Arlington 76005
Thursday, Nov. 20
4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (6 p.m. presentation, 6:30 public comments)
J. Erik Jonsson Central Library (Downtown)
First Floor Auditorium
1515 Young Street, Dallas 75201
More information on the project is available at www.TxDOT.gov.