Ft Worth-to-Grapevine rail changes name

Snazzed up to TEX

Marci Gilbert, Mar 22, 11.

The commuter rail line that will connect the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, Grapevine, and Fort Worth has been suffering an image problem because of it’s clunky name, according to a story in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

The Fort Worth Transportation Authority last week agreed to rename the project from the southwest-to-northeast corridor to Tarrant Express—or TEX, for short.

“We felt it was important to provide it an official name that would create higher visibility and excitement within the region and greater recognition within Washington, D.C.,” said T president Dick Ruddell.

The T is seeking Federal Transit Administration funding to cover up to half the cost of TEX, which by some estimates could top $600 million.

The line would connect southwest Fort Worth to Texas Christian University, the medical district, downtown Fort Worth, the Stockyards, Grapevine’s historic Main Street and the north end of D/FW Airport. Further east, there is growing interest in extending the line to Addison, north Dallas and Plano, and the North Central Texas Council of Governments is seeking private partners to bring in outside funds that would speed up the work.

Grapevine officials, who are contributing proceeds from a 3/8-cent sales tax to help cover some of the project costs, were also consulted about the name, T spokeswoman Joan Hunter said.

It’s a mammoth task. But at least now, as officials from throughout the region work toward getting the thing built, they can refer to it by a catchy name.

Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram