Emmett sees rail to Galv as precursor to Dallas HSR

“Rail will move forward.”

Jay Blazek Crossley, May 23, 11.

CORRECTION: (05/26/11: 11:09 AM) Guidry News Service incorrectly reported last week that Harris County Judge Ed Emmett suggested in a speech to the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership that light rail, rather than commuter rail, be considered for the Houston to Galveston route. Instead, Emmett specifically noted that no one has envisioned the line as a light rail line, but as a commuter rail line that could someday serve as a precursor to a high-speed rail project. Appropriate changes have since been made to the story below:

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett told a meeting of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership that he sees a commuter rail line from downtown Houston to downtown Dallas as a precursor to high speed rail to Dallas, while also speaking on the importance of better coordination of the various Port operations on Galveston Bay and overland freight movement, according to Guidry News.

Emmett was optimistic about the prospect for passenger rail service between Houston and Galveston, as well as high speed rail between Houston and Dallas:

“There is good news on that front,” Emmett said, noting the emergence of Gulf Coast Rail District.  “It is the entity that we need to focus on that can draw down the federal grants and state grants and they can cooperate with the Texas Department of Transportation in doing these projects.”

“We can actually sell this as a precursor to a high speed rail project,” Emmett said.  “I think that rail will begin to move forward.  And for those who say rail never pays for itself, neither do highways.”

Emmett also commented on the various Port operations:

Emmett said the prospects for the future are good.

“We are perfectly poised to be the gateway of North America going forward, to take advantage of international trade that’s going to be coming from places like India, Brazil and Africa,” Emmett said.  “But it won’t come here unless we build a transportation infrastructure that can move those goods out of the ports.”

Emmett called on the region to “rationalize” its ports.

“You’ve got Galveston, Texas City, Houston, Freeport, Beaumont, Port Arthur,” Emmett said.  “All of them don’t need to be container ports, all of them don’t need to be ro-ro or break bulk; and they need to find a way to cooperate.”

Audio of Harris County Judge Ed Emmett discussing transportation, mental health, jails, budgets, and politics introduced by Harris County Commissioner Jack Mormon (mp3, courtesy of Guidry News)

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