President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are expected to discuss the possibility of building the first high-speed rail in the US using Japanese bullet trains during Kishida’s visit to Washington. The project, which aims to connect Dallas and Houston, is estimated to cost between $25 billion and $30 billion. While the leaders may publicly voice support for the project, details of any final agreements are subject to change.
The high-speed rail project has the potential to receive new funding from the Federal Railroad Administration and the Department of Transportation. The project, if successful, would cut travel times between Dallas and Houston to about 90 minutes, significantly reducing the current travel time of 3.5 hours by car. The rail link would be built and operated by Texas Central Partners and Amtrak, with support from Japanese state lenders who have provided loans for its development.
Despite the potential benefits of the high-speed rail project, it faces hurdles in Texas and the US Congress. Previous efforts to build a rail link between Houston and Dallas have been obstructed by private landowners along the route. The support of Biden and Kishida is seen as crucial in attracting private investors to move the project forward, making it a “shovel ready” plan that could potentially create jobs and alleviate inflation pressures.
The Biden administration has been pushing for climate-friendly policies and investments in rail infrastructure, with the hope that the high-speed rail project will be a significant step in that direction. However, the project is likely to face opposition from Republican lawmakers in the US House of Representatives who have historically been opposed to public funding for rail projects. They have also opposed using public funds to rebuild infrastructure like the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, which was destroyed by a cargo ship last month.
The upcoming talks between Biden and Kishida will address not only the high-speed rail project but also other issues such as closer security and economic ties between the US and Japan. The US government has previously voiced support for the high-speed rail project, with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressing excitement about the potential benefits the project could bring. The Biden administration sees infrastructure projects like this as a way to create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
Overall, the high-speed rail project between Dallas and Houston represents an opportunity for the US to catch up with other countries that have successfully implemented high-speed rail systems. However, the project still faces obstacles that must be overcome before it becomes a reality. The support of both the US and Japanese governments is seen as a crucial step in moving the project forward and unlocking the necessary funding for its completion.
