High-speed rail crucial to keeping North Texas booming, Arlington is ready to help | Opinion
The future isn’t just approaching; it’s here. In 2023, the Dallas-Fort Worth area topped the nation in population growth and secured the second spot for job creation, welcoming more than 152,598 residents and adding more than 154,000 jobs, as reported by the U.S. Census and federal employment data.
This rapid expansion underscores an immediate need for innovative solutions. Situated at the heart of this growth, Arlington is ready to be a committed partner, making the high-speed rail project connecting Dallas, Arlington and Fort Worth not just an ambitious vision, but a present-day necessity.
The rapid increase in population and continued job growth in our region are a call to action. We must ensure that our infrastructure can provide safe and efficient mobility options to support our needs. The rail project is more than a transportation solution; it’s a strategic response to the here and now — our current growth and the opportunities it presents.
Last year, DFW’s job growth ranked second only to the New York City area, highlighting the robust economic vitality of our region. High-speed rail stands to propel this growth further by improving access between our cities within the region and creating new opportunities for growth and collaboration. With the potential connection to other high speed rail lines in Texas, creating never-before seen economic opportunities.
The rail line means direct access to a larger workforce, new businesses and additional tourists for all of North Texas. It’s an investment in our economic future, starting now.
This rail project is not merely about enhancing connectivity within our state but is also a testament to our region’s commitment to progress and innovation. By facilitating faster, more efficient travel, we’re not only catering to our growing population and its needs but also attracting international businesses and tourists, keen to engage with a region that stands at the forefront of technological and infrastructural advancement.
Arlington’s commitment to this project as a regional partner underscores our city’s focus on connection and collaboration, through a significant project that further enhances DFW’s appeal to overseas investors and collaborators. As we forge ahead with high-speed rail, we’re laying down the tracks for a future where Texas is not just a participant in the global market, but a leader.
I call upon our community members, policymakers and stakeholders at every level to recognize the monumental impact this project has not just on our immediate surroundings, but on our global standing. By supporting the high-speed rail project, we are making a statement to the world: Texas is ready to lead, innovate and thrive on the global stage.
The time to act is now. Let us embrace this project with the foresight and ambition it deserves, propelling Texas into a future where we are not just keeping pace but setting the pace for the world to follow.
Jim Ross is mayor of Arlington.
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