LANDOWNERS SEEK ANSWERS ON STATUS OF HIGH SPEED RAIL PROJECT

  

Attorneys for 93 property owners in nine Texas counties have issued a letter to Texas Central seeking answers on its plans for a high speed railway between Houston and Dallas.

In the letter, the attorneys say the project appears to be over, citing the resignation of Texas Central’s CEO, the developer’s “dire financial straits” and its refusal to apply for a construction permit.

The attorneys say affected landowners “deserve to be able to move on with their lives” without interference from the project.  They say, “We will not let Texas Central sit back, stay silent, and do nothing in furtherance of construction of the Project while our clients and other impacted landowners continue to suffer.”

Among the questions asked to Texas Central by the attorneys are when the project is expected to start construction, how will it fund the project, how does it intend to acquire property it needs along the route of the rail, who is leading Texas Central, and why mail sent to Texas Central’s office in Dallas is being returned undeliverable.

The attorneys say if the developer will not answer the questions or otherwise state that it no longer plans to build the project, they will file a Rule 202 petition to investigate potential claims against Texas Central.  They say they do not intend to relitigate the eminent domain issues recently decided by the Texas Supreme Court, but are instead looking to investigate whether Texas Central plans to build and operate the railway.

The full letter can be read here.