DART Forges Forward

Despite significant challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, DART's capital projects are on track. The agency is making substantial progress on the Silver Line Regional Rail project, Hidden Ridge Station in Irving, as well as platform extensions along the Red and Blue lines.

"These capital projects will have a positive impact on the community - improving accessibility and livability in our region," said Kay Shelton, assistant vice president of Capital Planning.

In the "new normal," DART has introduced numerous safety measures to protect construction workers, including requiring them to wear face masks, practice social distancing when possible, and submit to temperature checks every morning. In addition, DART provides hand-washing stations and/or hand sanitizers on site.

Construction zones can pose safety hazards, and the agency uses construction fencing, barricades, signage, and construction alerts to inform the public of construction activity in their area.

"The safety of our customers is our top priority," said Dawn Dorman, community affairs representative for DART. "We ask that the public avoid areas designated as construction zones and follow directional signs."

CAPITAL PROJECTS BY THE NUMBERS

Silver Line Regional Rail Project $1.266 billion design-build project 26-mile alignment serving seven cities March 2023 revenue service Hidden Ridge Station $12 million project New station on the Orange Line First half of 2021 opening Platform Extensions on the Red and Blue Lines $128.8 million 28 stations Late Fall 2021

Underway capital projects include:

Silver Line Regional Rail Project

The 26-mile Silver Line Regional Rail project is currently under construction between DFW Airport and Plano, with connections to Grapevine, Coppell, Dallas, Carrollton, Addison and Richardson. Upon completion, there will be 10 rail stations and four rail connections: DART's Green, Orange and Red lines, and the TEXRail commuter service.

Through January, residents could see examples of the sound barrier walls at five municipal centers located near the Silver Line. Sound barrier walls are used to mitigate noise.

The mock-up walls gave residents an up-close look at the various wall color and finish selections voted on by residents and stakeholders through a robust and inclusive community engagement process.

Hidden Ridge Station

The canopies have been installed at the new station located between the North Lake College and the Irving Convention Center stations, and DART Rail service will soon be available to workers and residents in the area.

The new station is developed with city of Irving and will serve Verizon's Hidden Ridge, a 110-acre mixed-use development that is planned to include retail and restaurants, apartments, a hotel and additional office space.

Pioneer Natural Resources' new headquarters will also be served by Hidden Ridge Station.

The new station will have 136 parking spots on the southwest side, six bus bays and five "kiss-and-ride" spaces.

Platform Extensions on the Red and Blue Lines

DART has been extremely diligent in moving the platform projects forward. The agency is lengthening the platforms and modifying level-boarding areas at 28 light rail stations along the Red and Blue lines.

Longer platforms mean DART will be able to operate three-car trains on any rail line, carrying 33% more passengers per hour through downtown Dallas during the busiest operating times.

Already, 16 stations have been completed, and another six are under construction. The following stations are not yet under construction, but soon will be:

• 8th & Corinth
• SMU/Mockingbird
• Westmoreland
• LBJ/Skillman
• Downtown Garland
• Tyler/Vernon