FTA announces $60.76M grant for DART light rail

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recently announced a $60.76 million grant agreement with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) for construction of the Red and Blue Line Platform Extensions.

The project—which aims to allow DART to accommodate more riders and longer trains, and whose funding is provided through the FTA’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG)—plans to lengthen platforms at 28 stations along the existing Red and Blue light rail lines that currently can accommodate only two-car trains. When the project is complete, the hope is that all stations on these lines will be able to accommodate three-car trains.

The total project cost is $128.74 million, and, since January 20, 2017, the FTA has advanced funding for 23 new CIG projects throughout the country for upwards of $6.3 billion in funding commitments.

“Commuters in Dallas can now look forward to longer trains and a better commute,” said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams. “We are proud to partner with the Texas Department of Transportation and DART to accommodate growing transit ridership and promote economic development as jobs and population in the Dallas area continue to increase.”