Arguments in the case of a Leon County landowner against the high speed rail company trying to build a train between Dallas and Houston is being heard in the Texas Supreme Court this week.
The case of James Miles versus Texas Central began when Miles sued Texas Central after the company attempted to secure permission in 2015 to survey the 600 acre-tract he owns in Leon County. If Texas Central’s proposed route is constructed, it would bisect Miles’ property with a 100-foot right-of-way.
In court, Miles’ representation, Jeffrey Levinger, argued that Texas Central is not a rail company because it has not taken crucial steps toward operation such as laying track or running cars.
On the other side of the aisle, Marie Yeates argued that Texas Central is a rail enterprise, because it’s engaging in railroad activities with a reasonable probability the project will eventually result in trains running on tracks.
Before its trip to the Texas Supreme Court, Attorney General Ken Paxton argued in a 46-page legal brief why Texas Central and its associated company do not qualify for railroad status in the state of Texas.