Fort Worth, Texas-based Trinity Metro broke ground on a $270 million, 2.1-mile TEXRail extension that will bring commuter rail service to the city's Medical District and Near Southside, improving access to jobs, health care, education, and local businesses.

The extension will continue south from Fort Worth T&P Station to the new Near Southside Station, built on land donated by Baylor Scott & White Health.

The project will connect the district to existing TEXRail destinations, including downtown Fort Worth, North Richland Hills, Grapevine, and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport's Terminal B.

“Fort Worth is growing, and the decisions we make today will shape how people experience this city for generations. The TEXRail Near Southside/Medical District extension and new station is an investment in our future,” said Rich Andreski, president and CEO of Trinity Metro, during a groundbreaking ceremony attended by more than 100 people.

Expanding Regional Rail Connections

Trinity Metro operates TEXRail, a 27-mile commuter rail line that opened in January 2019 and connects downtown Fort Worth with DFW Airport's Terminal B. The agency also jointly operates the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), providing commuter rail service between Fort Worth and Dallas.

The new extension will expand TEXRail's reach into one of Fort Worth's major employment and health care centers while strengthening connections to the region's existing rail network.

The Medical District and Near Southside are home to numerous health care employers, residential neighborhoods, and businesses. Officials said the extension will provide employees, patients, families, residents, and visitors with another transportation option while improving regional accessibility.

“All great cities have great transit,” said Jeff Davis, chairman of Trinity Metro's board. “I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Transit is the answer to everything.”

Federal, Regional Funding Supports Extension

The $270 million project combines federal, regional, and local funding sources.

Federal funding includes the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program, the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program, the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development program, and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act.

Additional funding comes from savings on the original TEXRail project, the North Central Texas Council of Governments' Regional Transportation Council, and local sources.

The extension represents another investment in Trinity Metro's regional rail network as Fort Worth continues to grow and demand for transportation connections increases.