La Prensa - SA to Monterrey Passenger Rail Project

Op-Ed

By Henry Cuellar

Two weeks ago, I was successful in adding important language in the Fiscal Year 2016 appropriations bill for Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (T-HUD). This bill will advance the development of a passenger rail between the United States and Mexico.

For years, representatives from both sides of the aisle in Washington, D.C., have worked together to bring to fruition this high-speed passenger rail line from Monterrey through Laredo to San Antonio, and on to other Texas cities.

As most of us well know, Mexico is a crucial partner to the United States. It is greatly beneficial for the economies of both the United States and Mexico to be able to have people efficiently and effectively travel back and forth. Not only would the passenger rail facilitate better and easier travel, but it would also create jobs in both the public and private sectors during the building process.

In particular, the language I added in this bill encourages the Federal Railroad Administration to work with relevant state and federal agencies and their Mexican counterparts to study what standards and protocols are needed to create the passenger and freight rail line, thus knocking down previous roadblocks and allowing the public and private sectors to build a railroad that would benefit both countries.

Currently, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and Government of Nuevo Leon's Corporation for Development in the Border Region (Codefront) are working together to study and develop this high speed rail infrastructure. This important study, for which I am strongly advocating, could lead to the development of the first true high-speed passenger rail international connection between the Unites States and Mexico.

Preliminary ridership estimates indicate that in order for true high-speed rail to be viable in the southern segment, the service would need to be continued across the US-Mexico border and connect to Monterrey, Mexico.

And those of us who live in South Texas know first-hand the strong economic contributions Mexican shoppers make to our economy. It is estimated that Mexican shoppers contribute millions of dollars to the economy in this part of the state.

And why not make their travel easier and safer? After all, our goal is to make sure all visitors and tourists visiting San Antonio have a pleasant and enjoyable stay.

On the business side, as political leaders, it also is our responsibility to help grow our economy by encouraging others to invest in our cities, and if possible, to establish their businesses in this area.

Known as the most-industrialized city in Mexico, Monterrey is also that country's third largest city. Having said this, imagine the countless possibilities of new business partnerships that can be developed in both cities should this project come to fruition.

Imagine how easy and convenient it would be for shoppers or business people to travel by high-speed rail to both cities in one day. If this project comes to fruition, people may be able to leave Monterrey early in the morning, spend the entire day in San Antonio, and then head back home in the evening. It can't get any easier than this.

You can learn more about my ongoing projects by visiting www.cuellar.house.gov or by calling my Washington office at (202) 225-1640.

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