With some help from the Recovery Act, Dallas Green Line extension is on-budget, way ahead of schedule

This is the kind of story I love--and I hope you will, too.

Last Friday, the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) celebrated completion of its “Green Line” extension. And not only was it on-budget, but--thanks to some help from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act--it opened six months ahead of schedule.

The 24-mile light rail line opened today serving 15 new stations between Carrollton-Farmers Branch and the Pleasant Grove area of South Dallas

And, as Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff said at the ribbon-cutting, "While cars and pick-up trucks will always be a way of life in Dallas, there's no question that adding more transit makes life better for millions of residents."

FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff rides the new Green Line with DART Board Chair William Velasco

Communities welcome projects like the Green Line for many valuable reasons.

During construction, men and women are put to work building the extension. Then, workers are needed to run the new line effectively. The transit line also makes it easier for folks to get to and from their jobs and to access the services they need. For others, public transit is a great way to get to job interviews.

The line is also great for businesses since it helps business travelers and tourists move around the city more easily. In fact, DART estimates that its light rail lines are responsible for roughly $7 billion in current, planned, and projected transit-oriented, mixed-use development.

FTA Administrator Rogoff speaks at the Green Line expansion opening celebration as DART Pres. Gary Thomas looks on

As DART President/Executive Director Gary Thomas said:

"The Green Line changes everything for our customers. People living in Pleasant Grove now have seamless access to jobs at Baylor, Downtown Dallas, the Market District, UT Southwestern/Parkland, Love Field and Farmers Branch and Carrollton. Business owners all along the corridor can connect with new customers and new pools of prospective employees."

So it’s simple really: whether you benefit directly by riding DART or not, more transit means more jobs and greater economic opportunity for Dallas.

Just four years ago, the Federal Transit Administration provided half the money--$700 million--needed to break ground on this expansion, and last year, thanks to the Recovery Act, the FTA was able to accelerate delivery of $78 million to move it toward completion as quickly as possible.

And DART has really delivered. With its on-budget and ahead-of-schedule completion of the new Green Line--and its 2,700 parking spaces, 10 park-and-ride lots, 18 new high capacity light rail vehicles, and 38 redesigned rail cars--the Green Line today enjoyed the longest single-day opening of electric light rail in the United States since 1990.

We are tremendously proud to have partnered with Dallas on this terrific project. It’s great to see such a strong local commitment to keeping public transportation growing as Dallas itself grows.

Comments

[Dave Cushwa]

Was this line named after former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher and manager Dallas Green? Maybe someone should name an automobile transmission after current manager Charlie Manuel.

[Dianne Dagelen]

Questions:

1. Can you tell me if Wisconsin governor-elect Walker will be able to accept the $810million meant for high speed rail between Milwaukee and Madison, but use it for a different purpose, such as road repair or improvements on the current Hiawatha line between Milwaukee and Chicago or other general rail maintenance?

2. Does Secretary LaHood have the authority to re-direct the funds as mandated by Congress?

3. Can the US Dept of Transportation intervene to persuade the Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation to hold a public hearing regarding the proposed high speed rail opportunity in MILWAUKEE? Currently they are holding hearings for this in every part of the state except Milwaukee. Milwaukee is the city that stands to loose 125 immediate jobs at TALGO, the manufacturer who would build four of the trains.
Dianne Dagelen
Milwaukee, WI

[Michael E. Bailey]

The light rail line in Dallas is a good example of what can be done to modernize public transportation. But there should be an integrated public transportation system that includes rail, buses, biking, and walking. Funding for new construction and new vehicles should not come from the bus operations budget since many transit districts across the country have had serious service reductions in the past three years. New and innovative funding is needed through processes like public-private partnerships. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.

[Mercedes W]

"And not only was it on-budget, but--thanks to some help from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act--it opened six months ahead of schedule."

WOW! Way to go. That is really showing us a great example of teamwork and fiscal responsibility. Thanks for sharing I hope we can see this level more often in our transportation departments.