Updated: March 28, 2013, 9:50 a.m. CST

The Texas Department of Transportation is seeking input on creating a passenger rail service connecting Oklahoma City to South Texas. The Texas-Oklahoma Passenger Rail Study will document the costs, benefits and effects of a new rail service and consider how passenger rail could relieve congestion along the I-35 corridor.

During 12 open house events throughout the state, TXDoT aims to gather input on the purpose and need for the study, the range of rail alternatives to be studied and the environmental resources that could be affected. Those who cannot attend an open house can review and comment on the proposal online through April 26.

Ultimately, the study will determine if—and what type of—passenger rail is a viable option for the state's main north-south thoroughfare. TxDOT will consider several types of intercity passenger rail with varying speeds and estimated number of stops. A conventional rail would use mostly existing tracks and travel about 45–60 mph with stops every 15–60 miles. High-speed trains use dedicated tracks traveling 100–150 mph and stop every 50 to 100 miles or more in major cities.

The Texas-Oklahoma Passenger Rail Study, a collaboration with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, began in 2013 and is expected to be completed by fall 2014. According to TxDOT, the study is funded by a 2010 grant from the Federal Railroad Administration. Before any identified project could be constructed, TxDOT would need to complete additional environmental review and identify funding.