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last mo.

Trump Administration Halts Federal Grant for Houston-Dallas High-Speed Rail

The $63.9 million grant termination reflects a shift in federal transportation priorities, pushing the $40 billion project toward private investment.

Stock photograph showing a high speed train in Himeji, Kansai prefecture, Japan.
Railroad tracks near a proposed bullet train terminus on the outskirts of downtown Dallas, on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022.
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Overview

  • The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the cancellation of a $63.9 million federal grant for the Houston-Dallas high-speed rail project, citing inefficiency and escalating costs.
  • Officials stated that the project’s estimated costs have exceeded $40 billion, making it a financially risky endeavor for taxpayers.
  • Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy emphasized the need for private sector leadership to advance the project, originally proposed as a private venture.
  • The decision aligns with a broader Trump administration strategy to reduce federal spending on high-risk infrastructure projects and focus on improving existing services.
  • Lead investor Kleinheinz Capital Partners expressed optimism, viewing the move as an opportunity to push the project forward with private funding, despite ongoing land acquisition and political challenges.