Lone Star Rail Conducts Freight Rail Alternatives Study

Lone Star Rail is currently conducting engineering, environmental, and economic studies for a new freight rail line from Taylor to Seguin, east of the proposed LSTAR passenger corridor. This project has to date included a rigorous alternatives analysis of hundreds of potential alignments of the new freight line, a select few of which will be advanced for further study and public comment. Lone Star Rail and Union Pacific Railroad have signed an agreement which is guiding their collaboration on this project.

Rail District and NCTCOG Collaborate on Rail Planning

Lone Star Rail District and North Central Texas Council of Governments signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in April 2011.  NCTCOG, the council of governments and metropolitan planning organization for the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, is active in passenger and freight rail planning in north Texas and is working with the Rail District to cooperate on long-range rail planning efforts between the Dallas, Ft. Worth, Austin, and San Antonio metropolitan areas.  The MOU provides a formal mechanism to coordinate rail planning with TxDOT and other stakeholders and to collaborate on connectivity between the systems.

Engineering and Environmental Studies Underway

Lone Star Rail District is currently waiting for federal approval to begin preliminary engineering and environmental impact studies (PE/EIS) for the LSTAR service. These studies, required under federal law, represent the final planning stage for the project. Once the PE/EIS is completed and approved, the district is authorized to begin final design and construction. The PE/EIS process is expected to take 18 to 24 months and will also include planning work on the LSTAR’s proposed 15 station locations and facilities. At the same time, Lone Star Rail expects to conduct a similar engineering and environmental study for a new freight rail line to be built to the east of the current corridor. Check back with us at LoneStarRail.com to learn more about upcoming opportunities for public input.

New CitySouth/TAMU Station Proposed for San Antonio

The Lone Star Rail District engineering and environmental studies will also look at extending the line past its current southern terminus at Port San Antonio to serve Texas A&M’s new San Antonio campus, about six miles away. Part of the new Verano neighborhood, TAMU-San Antonio will be one of 17 college and university campuses served by the LSTAR. The new southern terminus will also serve other developments within the City South area.