Rail to DFW Airport from Fort Worth on hold

T project awaits funds

Marci Gilbert, Feb 23, 11.

Plans to put a commuter rail station at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport for passengers coming from Tarrant County are on hold until the Fort Worth Transportation Authority can secure an estimated $500 million to build the line, according to The Fort Worth Star Telegram:

But while the T’s plans for a station at Terminal B languish, D/FW is aggressively moving forward on a train station at adjacent Terminal A for Dallas Area Rapid Transit, which is scheduled to extend its Orange Line to the airport by 2014.
Originally, regional leaders hoped that the T and DART rail lines could meet at the airport at the same time. But Fort Worth officials, who gathered Friday during Tarrant County Commissioner Gary Fickes’ annual transportation summit in Hurst, say they’re frustrated that the T project is delayed.
“It’s time to light a fire under the need for commuter rail,” said Fort Worth Councilman Jungus Jordan, who added that the City Council intends to hold a joint meeting with the T board in March to press for progress on rail.

The DART station at D/FW will cost about $35 million. A contract was awarded in January, and construction will begin later this year, said Jeff Fegan, D/FW’s chief executive officer.
DART is proceeding with the project despite concerns in Dallas about mounting capital costs on the light-rail system and overly optimistic projections about sales tax revenue to pay for them.
The Orange Line will connect D/FW to Las Colinas, the now-vacant Texas Stadium area and the rest of the extensive light-rail system in Dallas and Collin counties.

Source: Fort Worth Star Telegram
Photo Source: The Transport Politic

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