Streetcars return to Dallas

The 1.6-mile, four-station Dallas Streetcar starter system runs from Dallas Union Station to Methodist Dallas Medical Center in Oak Cliff, traversing the Trinity River corridor, which separates southern Dallas from the city’s largest employment centers. DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) officials say the service targets commuters in mixed-use districts adjacent to downtown and helps connect them to transportation choices available in the city center.

The second phase, which extends the route to the shopping and dining of Oak Cliff’s Bishop Arts District, is expected to be completed by early 2016. The third segment, currently in planning, will expand the line to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center and Omni Dallas Hotel.

Project partners include DART, the City of Dallas, the North Central Texas Council of Governments, Texas Department of Transportation, and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Project development got started with $26 million in federal TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grants.

Brookville Equipment Co. supplied the vehicles, which are its partial-low-floor “Liberty” units. They are powered by catenary on surface streets, but operate with an on-board, lithium ion battery-based ESS (Energy Storage System) as they cross the 101-year-old Houston Street Viaduct, a city landmark. Two are in service.

“Dallas is taking another notable step forward in its efforts to build an efficient, reliable and connected transportation network that helps grow the region’s economy and connects hard-working families to jobs and opportunity,” said FTA Acting Administrator Therese McMillan.