The Texas Triangle, a geographic region encompassing Austin, Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio has terrible traffic, high amounts of traffic deaths, and steep pollution levels. To better connect the area with greener, faster trips, Amtrak is studying a defunct, 265-mile rail line between Dallas and Houston that was decommissioned in 1995. Last week, Amtrak was awarded $2.5 million in federal grants from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to explore re-activating the route for passenger service.

Thirty years ago, a train ride between Dallas and Houston took six hours, pending zero complications. The high-speed line Amtrak envisions would offer 90 minute trips, topping out at 205 miles per hour. Amtrak is partnering with Texas Central Partners for the re-activated transit link’s planning. Analysts say that it will cost $1.3 billion to put the Dallas–Houston high-speed rail connection back into service.

Texas presently has the highest rate of traffic deaths and highway pollution in the U.S. The new Dallas–Houston rail link would reduce congestion and carbon emissions, experts from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) told local reporters. The high-speed rail line would offer more sustainable and faster service than the 16 short-haul daily flights between the two Texas cities which run high in carbon emissions.

“If we are going to add more high-speed rail to this country, the Dallas to Houston Corridor is a compelling proposition and offers great potential,” said Andy Byford, Amtrak senior vice president of high-speed rail development programs. “We believe many of the country’s biggest and fastest-growing metropolitan areas, like Houston and Dallas, deserve more high quality high-speed, intercity rail service and we are proud to bring our experience to evaluate this potential project and explore opportunities with Texas Central so the state can meet its full transportation needs,” Byford said in a statement.

While transit gurus like Byford welcome the project, it’s been met with backlash. Texas GOP congressmen Jake Ellzey and Michael McCaul beckoned the FRA to stop funding the project last October, saying there’s “fierce pushback from rural landowners.”

Despite GOP pushback, the route’s re-activation is firmly backed by the mayors of Houston and Dallas. “Dallas is the engine of the fourth largest and fastest growing region in the nation,” Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson said. “It is bold, innovative endeavors like this that will propel Dallas toward an even more prosperous future. A high-speed rail line would revolutionize transportation in our region, serve as a catalyst for economic growth, and enhance connectivity among Texas residents and businesses.”

Houston mayor Sylvester Turner added: “The collaboration between Texas Central and Amtrak is an important milestone for the City of Houston and this project. Our city is committed to advancing transportation initiatives that support economic growth and enhance quality of life for our residents.”