Texas Central has chosen the Northwest Mall near the interchange of Interstate 610 and U.S. 290 as its preferred high-speed passenger train station terminal location in Houston. In its environmental impact statement, Texas Central weighed three different locations, the Northwest Mall, Northwest Transit Center and a former industrial site.

Texas Central said the mall site is preferred because of minimal environmental and community effects. It also allows the high-speed train largely to follow existing rights of way, while providing passengers with roadway access to METRO’s Northwest Transit Center.

According to the federal report, the Houston station’s concourses will consist of public areas, restaurants, bars, seating areas, concessions and newsstands, along with pedestrian connections to an adjacent parking facility.

Improvements also are planned for Post Oak Road at Hempstead Road, Post Oak Road at Old Katy Road and West 18th Street at Hempstead Road. These will be designed in part to alleviate current congestion and improve traffic flow.

The Federal Railroad Administration is taking public comments on the environmental report and will evaluate the preferred station site in advance of issuing a final assessment. The public comment period has been extended through March 9.