Dallas sets Oak Cliff streetcar debut
Written by Douglas John BowenU.S. streetcar advocates expected Washington, D.C., to open the first new streetcar line for service in 2015, but it now looks as if Dallas will get the honor.
A Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) spokesman says the Oak Cliff streetcar line will begin operations through its namesake neighborhood on Monday, April 13, 2015, linking Dallas Union Station and Methodist Dallas Medical Center.
Some observers note the opening date is an ambitious target, since streetcar deliveries from Brookville Equipment Corp. reportedly have yet to take place.
Oak Cliff residents championed the $51 million project, though they were offered assistance from DART in the development phase and, eventually, a commitment from DART to operate the line.
The debut will occur along 1.6 miles of right-of-way. Extensions are planned to increase the line’s length to 2 miles.
A Dallas City Council committee is advancing a $1 billion plan which includes linking the Oak Cliff streetcar line with the heritage McKinney Avenue streetcar via a downtown link.
