DART lands $60M FTA grant to expand light rail capacity

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced a $60.76 million grant agreement with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) for construction of the Red and Blue Line Platform Extensions, which will allow DART to accommodate more riders and longer trains.

The project will 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, all stations on these lines will be able to accommodate three-car trains. The total project cost is $128.74 million.

FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams joined Dallas officials at the Downtown Plano DART station to announce the grant. The station, surrounded by homes, restaurants, retail establishments, and a revitalized downtown, is an example of value capture and public transit’s ability to create economic benefits in communities. The DART Red and Blue Line Platform Extensions project will strengthen and support existing and planned developments in Plano and elsewhere along the Red and Blue Lines.

Funding for the project is provided through FTA’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program, which provides funding for major transit projects nationwide. Projects accepted into the program must go through a multi-year, multi-step process according to requirements in law to be eligible for consideration to receive program funds.

Since January 20, 2017, FTA has advanced funding for 23 new CIG projects throughout the nation totaling approximately $6.3 billion in funding commitments, according to the administration. With the FFGA signing, this Administration has executed 15 CIG funding agreements totaling more than $3.4 billion in CIG funding.