The Board of Directors for Denton County (Tex.) Transportation Authority reported on March 7 that it had accepted the resignation of CEO Raymond Suarez. When Suarez steps down on March 31, DCTA Deputy Paul Cristina will serve as interim CEO.
L.K. Comstock National Transit will work with Alstom on a four-year project to upgrade the Miami Metromover. In addition, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) will hire a consultant to help “transform the workplace environment”; and Dallas’ Trinity Railway Express (TRE) turns 25 on Dec. 30.
Most of the rail transit in Texas fell under Old Man Winter’s one-two punch of snow and bitter cold over most of the state, as it was gripped by historically low temperatures. As temperatures warmed up (into the 60s during the week of Feb. 21) and the snow melted, rail transit has returned to full service in Texas and as far north as St. Louis.
2020 has been a difficult year for transit agencies and railroads across the country. But for nearly every one, there were bright spots—from dedicated employees serving on the front lines to new initiatives improving the rider experience. Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) in Texas has shared highlights of its achievements throughout the year.
Trinity Metro (Texas) has selected AECOM to conduct environmental assessment and preliminary engineering for a 2.1-mile TEXRail extension project. Commuter rail service would continue south from the Fort Worth T&P Station to a proposed new station in the Fort Worth Medical District (south of Mistletoe Boulevard, near Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center).
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) will distribute $1 billion among 70 surface transportation infrastructure projects in 44 states through its Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Discretionary Grants program. The Fiscal Year 2020 program is for planning and capital investments.
TEXRail inaugurated passenger rail services between Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Grapevine and central Fort Worth on January 10 with the inauguration of the 28-mile commuter line.
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has named Maureen McCole as Vice President, Commuter Rail/Railroad Management; Garrome “Jerry” Franklin as Vice President and Chief Safety Officer; and David Schulze as Vice President, Policy and Strategy.
