DART rail now $700M richer
Federal officials sign agency's largest grant, green-lighting growth
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11:46 PM CDT on Monday, July 3, 2006
By TONY HARTZEL / The Dallas Morning News
Federal officials came to Dallas Area Rapid Transit on Monday, and this time they brought their checkbook.
In a morning full of pomp and ceremony, DART and the Federal Transit Administration signed a long-awaited, $700 million grant agreement.
The amount is the largest DART has ever received, and it represents the second-largest federal grant of its kind to any transit agency in the nation.
"Congratulations, Dallas!" said Sandy Bushue, deputy administrator for the Federal Transit Administration. "It's going to ensure more mobility for the citizens of Dallas. It's also going to ensure economic vitality, and it's going to build and strengthen the entire metropolitan area."
The federal funds will pay for almost half of the cost to build 21 miles of light rail from Farmers Branch to Buckner Boulevard in Pleasant Grove. Those 21 miles will help launch DART's planned 45-mile, $2.5 billion expansion that is expected to be completed by the end of 2013.
For about eight years, DART and the local congressional delegation have lobbied extensively for the grant.
The transit administration announced in February that it would give DART the money, but the award was then subject to reviews and congressional approval.
"This is a great day for Dallas," said U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas, who fought for the DART funds on Capitol Hill.
Although San Antonio and Houston created transit agencies before Dallas, "DART has made up for lost time," Mrs. Hutchison said. "DART has surpassed Houston and San Antonio with its commitment to rail early on. It wasn't easy, but this is going to benefit our area for years to come."
DART's system is recognized nationally for its successful 10-year operating history and its impact on the region, Ms. Bushue said. In addition, DART helps its standing with federal officials because it can pledge more of its sales tax revenue to projects than many other transit agencies, she said.
Smiles abounded Monday on the faces of DART officials, who celebrated at Victory station. Now, the transit agency must focus on construction. Minor work has started on the northwest and southeast lines, and workers could start laying the first tracks early next year.
The first section of the new line is scheduled to open to Fair Park in September 2009. The rest of the federally funded section between Farmers Branch and Pleasant Grove is planned to open in late 2010. DART-funded extensions to Carrollton, Irving, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Rowlett are expected to open between 2010 and 2013.
To some leaders, the rail line represents more than just rapid transit. DART's new rail lines will connect Fair Park, Deep Ellum, Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, the hospital district, Dallas Love Field, D/FW Airport and northwest Dallas County suburbs.
"This will be an affordable, rapid way for workers who live south of the city to get to work," said U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Dallas, a longtime DART supporter. "It will stabilize neighborhoods and stabilize schools, because people won't have to move around as much to get closer to their jobs."
Other leaders recognize the potential for easier commutes and increased economic development that the rail line could bring.
"There is a lot in this for everybody," said U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Dallas, who said rail lines not only help those who ride trains but also reduce the number of cars on highways. "Wherever people live in the metro area, they will have easy access to DART – and DART works."
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