High-speed rail and DART’s Silver Line a beacon of connectivity for the region
Writer: Andrea Teran
August 2024 —The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex surpassed 8 million residents in 2023 with an influx of 152,598 people, which, according to a U.S. Census report, is the largest numeric population increase of any U.S. metro area. In response to the rapid growth of DFW, the region’s transportation infrastructure is undergoing significant expansion and transformation.
“Fort Worth continues to be the fastest-growing large city in the country.” Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker said in a statement, “High-speed rail is an integral part of our transportation future and it will include Tarrant county. This is a regional decision that will require stakeholders and elected officials to collaborate and solve complex problems for the advancement of our North Texas region.”
The high-speed rail project connecting Dallas and Fort Worth has been a focal point of regional transportation planning. Originally envisioned to pass through downtown Dallas, the proposed route has been revised to skirt the city center, avoiding potential disruptions to key developments such as the $5 billion mixed-use project around Reunion Tower. This adjustment follows significant opposition from local business leaders and government officials who were concerned about the impact of an elevated rail line on downtown Dallas and its ongoing redevelopment efforts.
The Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approved an additional $1.65 million in funding to further study this alternate route, bringing the total funding for the study phase to $12.1 million. The new alignment, which runs west of downtown Dallas, between the Trinity River and South Riverfront Boulevard, will culminate at a station in the Cedars neighborhood. While this route mitigates some concerns, it also raises questions about connectivity, particularly regarding integration with existing transit systems at Eddie Bernice Johnson Union Station.
Despite these challenges, the high-speed rail project is progressing, with the environmental review process expected to conclude by March 2025. This progress is vital for advancing the engineering design and securing further funding. Together with the Dallas-to-Houston line, these projects are key components of North Texas’ vision for a comprehensive regional rail network.
As the high-speed rail project moves forward, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is simultaneously advancing its Silver Line, a 26-mile commuter rail route that will connect Plano to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), traversing seven cities: Plano, Richardson, Dallas, Addison, Carrollton, Coppell, and Grapevine. This line is designed to enhance regional connectivity and provide a new transit option for the rapidly growing North Dallas area.
Testing of the Silver Line trains began in May 2024, marking a significant milestone in the project’s development. These initial tests, conducted on Sundays along existing Trinity Railway Express (TRE) tracks, are crucial for ensuring the proper functioning of train systems before they begin running on the dedicated Silver Line tracks later in the year. By late 2024, segment testing will begin for the Silver Line route, with end-to-end testing expected to conclude by summer 2025. With over 60% of the project completed as of August 2024, DART is on track to begin revenue service by late 2025 or early 2026.
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As the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex continues to expand, the region’s transportation infrastructure must evolve to meet the needs of its growing population. Mayor Bruce Arfsten of Addison, a member of the Regional Transportation Council, emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in tackling these challenges. “The regional cooperation that these organizations encourage helps the Metroplex continue to experience growth that outpaces most metropolitan areas in the country,” Arfsten told Invest:.
“Discussions around public transit and high-speed rail that are happening today will be ongoing, as we look for creative and innovative ways to move people throughout the region,” Mayor Arfsten added.
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