Former Harris County judge Robert Eckels said he believes construction could begin in 2016 on the state's first high-speed rail line, one connecting Houston and Dallas.

Eckels is president of Texas Central Rail, a private consortium promoting the development of a private, for-profit high-speed passenger rail system that would take travelers to and from Dallas to Houston in less than 90 minutes.

"We have not been attracting a lot of attention because it's not a public project," Eckels said. "We have been quietly doing environment [studies], and having discussions regarding right-of-way acquisition with [the Texas Department of Transportation] and the Federal Rail Administration."

Eckels said TCR is considering three routes—one along Hwy. 290, one along Hwy. 59 and one along I-45. A final decision on which route is most feasible for a high-speed rail line could come soon.

"We'll have a line on a map in 90 days," Eckels said.

A route between Houston and Dallas provides "ideal geography" for a high-speed rail line, Eckels said, which features straight and flat land through rural areas with no needed tunnels.

"There are no fatal flaws in any of the routes," he said.

Eckels said TCR would soon a issue a memo of understanding on a pair of environmental impact studies for the proposed rail line, a step toward beginning construction.

TxDOT spokesman David Glessner said the department is serving in a supporting role in the development of a high-speed rail line, while the FRA leads the planning effort and TCR serves as the funding source.

"At this early stage, the proposals are very much in the discussion phase as we seek public input and other feedback related to needs, demand and feasibility," Glessner said.

Eckels said once it begins, the environmental process would take about 18 months, and construction could begin soon after—possibly in 2016.

"We could be operational by 2021," he said.

Houston to Dallas by high-speed rail

The N700-I Bullet System can reach speeds of more than 200 mph.

The 240 miles between downtown Houston and downtown Dallas could be covered in about 77 minutes.

A train would hold eight cars and would seat 400–500 passengers.

Trains would leave about every 30 minutes during peak times.