TEXRail celebrates inaugural ride

FORT WORTH, Texas — Hundreds of Fort Worth-area leaders and transit supporters celebrated the opening of the TEXRail commuter line this week with a commemorative train ride, however, the government shutdown could have an impact on the public launch of the system, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

At issue is a new railroad intersection just east of downtown Fort Worth, where TEXRail and two freight railroad lines converge under Spur 280, the highway leading to downtown Fort Worth.

The section, which was widely considered the greatest engineering challenge of the $1 billion TEXRail project, must still be certified by the Federal Railroad Administration as safe for passenger train travel, and that may not happen while so many federal workers are furloughed.

Without that certification, TEXRail will not be allowed to travel under Spur 280 to pick up or drop off passengers in downtown Fort Worth, which means TEXRail would only be able to partially open on Saturday. For the full story, click here.