show ad U.S. and Mexico could be connected by multi-billion-dollar high speed train within FOUR YEARS taking passengers from San Antonio to Monterrey * Route would link San Antonio, Texas, to Monterrey, Mexico * 300 mile trip could be completed in under two hours * High-speed link would slash journey time from five hours by car * Mexico estimates its share of the cost for the project will be around $1.5bn -- comments A multi-billion-dollar high-speed train network linking America with Mexico moved a step closer as officials from both sides of the border thrashed out details. -- by car to under two hours. Advocates say the project, which would be the first high-speed train line in North America and is set to be completed by 2018, will provide huge economic boost to regions in both nations. Swift: A new high-speed train link would cut the 300 mile journey time between San Antonio, Mexico, and Monterrey, Mexico, to under two hours Swift: A new high-speed train link would cut the 300 mile journey time between San Antonio, Mexico, and Monterrey, Mexico, to under two hours Swift: A new high-speed train link would cut the 300 mile journey time between San Antonio, Mexico, and Monterrey, Mexico, to under two hours -- Mr Cuellar told Fox News Latino: 'Secretary Foxx and his team are interested. A high-speed rail between San Antonio and Monterrey through Laredo would revolutionize trade and travel between the United States and Mexico.' -- most feared drug gangs. Getting up to speed: The ambitious project to create a high-speed rail network linking America with Mexico would embrace technology widely used in other parts of the world, such as Japan, pictured, Getting up to speed: The ambitious project to create a high-speed rail network linking America with Mexico would embrace technology widely used in other parts of the world, such as Japan, pictured, Getting up to speed: The ambitious project to create a high-speed rail network linking America with Mexico would embrace technology widely used in other parts of the world, such as Japan, pictured, Playing catch up: America is someway behind China which has already built hundreds of miles of high-speed rail network on which bullet trains can reach 250kph Playing catch up: America is someway behind China which has already built hundreds of miles of high-speed rail network on which bullet trains can reach 250kph Playing catch up: America is someway behind China which has already built hundreds of miles of high-speed rail network on which bullet trains can reach 250kph -- Lowering costs: The rising price of petrol has put pressure on authorities to find a cheaper means of mass transport, such as high-speed rail, similar to that used in Japan, pictured Lowering costs: The rising price of petrol has put pressure on authorities to find a cheaper means of mass transport, such as high-speed rail, similar to that used in Japan, pictured Lowering costs: The rising price of petrol has put pressure on authorities to find a cheaper means of mass transport, such as high-speed rail, similar to that used in Japan, pictured But the final go-ahead is dependent on a U.S. study into the feasibility of a regional high-speed network linking Oklahoma City and South Texas to southern neighbors. America is currently flirting with the idea of constructing a nation-wide high-speed rail network, joining major cities on both the west and east coast. The U.S. finds itself playing catch up to other nations around the world which have far more established high-speed networks. Japan has had bullet trains running well over 150mph since the 1950s. -- speeds of 350mph. China has the world's longest high-speed rail network with more than 6,200miles of routes in service. -- will help the nation save billions. PROPOSED NETWORK OF HIGH-SPEED TRAINS COULD SHRINK AMERICA Surging oil costs has caused car-loving America to look to the train for a cheaper means of getting around the country. High-speed rail projects linking mayor cities on both coasts have now been pushed to the top of the political agenda. -- system is being contemplated. The California High-Speed Rail Authority was created in 1996 by the state to implement an extensive 800-mile rail system that is estimated to cost about $40 billion. -- expected to generate $1 billion in annual profits. The system would provide high-speed service between and among major cities, like Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego, and would allow travel between Los Angeles' Union Station and San -- Advertisement Read more: * Next-Generation Border Crossing: First-Ever High Speed Train To Connect U.S. And Mexico By 2018 Share or comment on this article: US and Mexico could be connected by high speed train from San Antonio to Monterrey