The Fort Worth Transportation Authority’s (The T) TEX Rail project received a Record of Decision (ROD) from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that could lead to the start of construction during 2016.

A ROD issued by FTA signals formal federal approval of the TEX Rail Environmental Impact Statement.

The initial service of TEX Rail will extend from downtown Fort Worth, across northeast Tarrant County and Grapevine and into DFW Airport at Terminal B. The 27-mile regional rail corridor is projected to have more than 10,000 daily riders at initial start of service in 2018 using eight stations. By 2035, there will be 10 stations and more than 15,500 daily riders.

The New Starts process will qualify TEX Rail to eventually receive federal funding for approved expenditures of up to 50% of TEX Rail’s estimated capital cost.

The Record of Decision permits The T to contract with an engineering services firm to advance engineering and to begin acquiring property necessary for stations and other property along the rail corridor.

The next major milestone in the federal New Starts Process will be after FTA provides The T with permission to enter engineering, at which point The T will place its order for rail vehicles.

The last major milestone in the New Starts process will be the FTA’s awarding a Full Funding Grant Agreement that will allow for TEX Rail construction to commence.