[IMAGE]IMG-7073-2.jpg[/IMAGE]Officials of Tarrant County, the City of Richland Hills and The T (the Fort Worth Transportation Authority) broke ground on a multi-phase enhancement project at the Richland Hills Station of the Trinity Railway Express (TRE). The commuter railroad is jointly-owned and operated by The T and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). 

The project has been planned by Richland Hills and The T for several years to improve street and pedestrian access to the TRE Station, expand parking, enhance traffic flow around the station and encourage future development adjacent to the station. The majority of the funding for the enhancements will be from grants through the Federal Transit Administration.

The first phase of the long-term project, to begin this month, will be the addition of 100 parking spaces at the TRE Station Park and Ride lot bringing it to a total of 478 spaces. The Richland Hills Station has the third highest TRE boardings of stations in Tarrant County.

The second phase will be the realignment of area streets and the addition of dedicated turn lanes to expedite traffic flow in and out of the station.

The final phase includes future economic development by private entities on property adjacent to the station.

Officials of Tarrant County, Richland Hills and The T broke ground Sept. 12 for a $2 million enhancement project at the Trinity Railway Express Richland Hills Station that also will encourage adjacent economic development. From left, Richland Hills City Council members Roland Goveas, Bob DeSoto, Edward Lopez, Kenney Davis, Mayor David Ragan; Tarrant County Commissioner Gary Fickes; and Jeff Ritter, board member of The T and former Richland Hills city council member.