DART Orange Line Construction Progress

[RobertB]

Just got this tidbit from DART:

Orange Line: From 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 10 through Friday, March 13, there will be a temporary left lane and shoulder closure on southbound 482 between Justice Way and the 482 Trinity Bridge. One lane will remain open to traffic. Crews will be drilling for soil samples necessary for design and construction of the Orange Line in that area.
In fact, DART's Rail Construction (http://www.dart.org/about/expansion/construction.asp) page is now issuing regular messages about "pre-construction activities". That, plus the pretty pictures of rails being delivered to staging areas near Texas Stadium (on the Orange Line Expansion (http://www.dart.org/about/expansion/orangeline.asp) page) makes me think the project is far enough along to warrant a new thread.

But it's still early... if DART hits a snag before work begins in earnest, I'll combine this thread back into the (newly rechristened) "pre-construction" thread (http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/showthread.php?t=7431).

For now, though, here's what DART about the construction schedule:

The 14-mile Orange Line is a key component of a regional rail expansion that will lead to the doubling of DART's rail network to more than 90 miles by 2013. The Orange Line will run parallel with the Green Line through Downtown Dallas to Bachman Station in Northwest Dallas. From Bachman Station, the Orange Line heads northwest to the Las Colinas Urban Center in 2011 and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in 2013.

[JCL]

I hope the delivery of that rail wasn't just a move to placate the City of Irving after the whole billion dollar overage flap. It seems like the first real signs of construction would probably show up around the Bachman station - i.e. they start splitting the tracks off.

[JCL]

Ok, I should do my research first before opening mouth and inserting foot:

http://www.dart.org/about/expansion/construction.asp

During the week of April 6-10, there will be utility location verification in the Las Colinas and Carpenter Ranch areas. View a street location map.

In addition, there will be geotechnical testing in the Lake Carolyn Station area and the Teleport Bridge area. View a street location map.

Crews will also begin preparing work yards near the Central Freight and FedEx facilities. These yards will be used throughout the project for storage of materials and provide an area for equipment maintenance. View a street location map.

[Mballar]

From DART today:

Orange Line: The week of April 13-17, there will be geotechnical testing in the North Las Colinas Station area and the Belt Line Station area.

[JCL]

Well - it's 'official'

http://www.dart.org/about/expansion/orangeline.asp

DART Rail Orange Line Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in Irving, April 13, 2009

Orange Line
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
in Irving
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U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions speaks as John Danish, the Irving representative on the DART Board of Directors, and Irving Mayor Herbert Gears look on
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DART Chairman of the Board Randall Chrisman speaks to the crowd
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Irving citizens at the Orange Line
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
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The orange line even has a spiffy new logo

http://www.dart.org/images/factsheet/orangelinesymbol.gif

[xen0blue]

This is great...this line alone will be so much more useful than both of the other lines combined.

[dfwcre8tive]

DART still seeking funds for Orange Line
5:13 PM Wed, May 13, 2009
Michael Lindenberger/Reporter
http://transportationblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/05/-darts-plan-to-run.html

DART's plan to run rail service to the D/FW International Airport by 2013 is about $120 million short of the required funding, the transit agency's board chairman said this afternoon.

The 14-mile Orange Line will be built in three phases, with the first phase scheduled to reach Las Colinas by late 2011. Construction on the first two phases has just begun. (And given the outcry 18 months ago when soaring costs appeared to almost derail the project, that's not a moment too soon.)

But it's the $350 million final phase that has drawn the most concern in recent weeks, as proposals to re-route the rail line north to connect with the proposed Cotton Belt suburban rail line have taken shape. That prospect has angered some Irving representatives who say they've been busy luring businesses to the area for years, based in part on the existing plan to extend the Orange Line directly from Irving to the airport. It would probably end at a location near Terminals A & B.

On Wednesday, DART chairman Randall Chrisman of Carrollton played down the likelihood that the board would change the route -- in part, he said, because doing so could add $150 million or more to the total bill. There is also a timing issue, he said, noting that a decision on the route is required by June in order to keep the project on schedule.

The additional costs would be on top of a deficit Chrisman and other DART officials said Wednesday already stands at $120 million. DART spokesman Morgan Lyons said DART has always known it would have to seek "partners" to pay the full cost of the Orange Line -- and currently is hoping the Regional Transportation Council will contribute something on the order of $60 million to $80 million to help bridge that gap. The balance, he said, could come from federal sources, though no such appropriations have been made as yet.

That funding gap may be manageable, as DART suggests, but it also could create an opportunity for entities intent on convincing DART to change the Orange Line route to connect to the as-of-now entirely hypothetical Cotton [Belt] line.

Staff at the North Central Texas Council of Governments recently investigated whether the Orange Line ought to be re-routed to connect to the Cotton Bowl, but stopped short of making a formal proposal that DART change the route, to the relief of Irving leaders.

But if DART is looking to RTC to make up half or more of a $120 million shortfall, that may give RTC director Michael Morris significant leverage. After all, if he can find the funds to cover much of the gap, plus pay the additional cost of the northern station, DART board may see few other options but to take the offer.

That's speculative, since RTC has not actually offered to do any such thing. But last week DART CEO Gary Thomas told me that the route possibilities are still in play. And what he didn't need to tell me is that when money is tight, just about anything will get a hearing.

[Hannibal Lecter]

^ So they're spending hundreds of millions of dollars on a rail line when they don't know where it's going, how much it will end up costing, or where they'll get the money to finish it....

[RobertB]

^ So they're spending hundreds of millions of dollars on a rail line when they don't know where it's going, how much it will end up costing, or where they'll get the money to finish it....
Yeah, really, it's a good thing other transportation departments wouldn't be so foolish as to build a road to nowhere. Such a thing would never happen (http://www.heralddemocrat.com/hd/newsindex/A1-North-Dallas-Tollway-could-head-to-Grayson-County). Oops.

[electricron]

http://www.bondbuyer.com/article.html?id=20090615TI2JP8TT

DART expects to make history with its record $1 billion bond issue today. The AAA rated deal is not only DART's largest ever, but the biggest in the Southwest so far this year. At $750 million, the Build America Bond component also represents the largest ever issue of the federally subsidized taxable debt by a local government agency since the bonds were authorized under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in February.
For DART, the availability of such a large financial package allows Texas largest light rail network to expand dramatically, bypassing financial roadblocks that threatened to stymie an important new Orange Line that will extend to DFW Airport through the suburb of Irving. The authority also has another new line under construction and is extending an existing line.
Qualifying for such a large volume of BABs "is really a function of how fast you can spend the money," said DART treasurer Nate Hallett. "And with three projects going on right now, we are clearly the most shovel ready." The overall structure of the financing is designed to provide interest cost savings of up to 70 basis points when compared to traditional tax-exempt interest rates, including the 35% federal tax subsidy, stated Napoleon Bankford chairman of Siebert Bankford Shank & Co.

Looks like DART found a way to overcome the Orange Line's $1 Billion cost overrun by selling another $1 Billion of bonds. While that helps DART finish Phase II projects on time, this also means DART will have borrowed as much money as it can and will not be able to start building Phase III projects for a long time, while maintaining its AAA bond ratings.

[NThomas]

http://www.bondbuyer.com/article.html?id=20090615TI2JP8TT

DART expects to make history with its record $1 billion bond issue today. The AAA rated deal is not only DART's largest ever, but the biggest in the Southwest so far this year. At $750 million, the Build America Bond component also represents the largest ever issue of the federally subsidized taxable debt by a local government agency since the bonds were authorized under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in February.
For DART, the availability of such a large financial package allows Texas largest light rail network to expand dramatically, bypassing financial roadblocks that threatened to stymie an important new Orange Line that will extend to DFW Airport through the suburb of Irving. The authority also has another new line under construction and is extending an existing line.
Qualifying for such a large volume of BABs "is really a function of how fast you can spend the money," said DART treasurer Nate Hallett. "And with three projects going on right now, we are clearly the most shovel ready." The overall structure of the financing is designed to provide interest cost savings of up to 70 basis points when compared to traditional tax-exempt interest rates, including the 35% federal tax subsidy, stated Napoleon Bankford chairman of Siebert Bankford Shank & Co.

Looks like DART found a way to overcome the Orange Line's $1 Billion cost overrun by selling another $1 Billion of bonds. While that helps DART finish Phase II projects on time, this also means DART will have borrowed as much money as it can and will not be able to start building Phase III projects for a long time, while maintaining its AAA bond ratings.
Is there a "list" of Phase II & III projects?

[electricron]

Is there a "list" of Phase II & III projects?

Sure. Phase II projects are those announced to be completed by 2018 or so.
Phase III projects are those listed on Dart's 2030 plan, but will not be completed by 2018.

All Phase I projects were completed by 2002, specifically the Red & Blue Lines.
Phase II projects are Green & Orange Lines, extensions of the Blue Line, and the D2 corridor downtown. All Phase II projects are being built, or have studies underway today.
Phase III projects are extensions of the Red Line to Red Bird, a new line in West Dallas possibly along Singleton Road, and the new line possibly along Scyene Road in East Dallas. None of the Phase III projects have any studies being performed.

Initially, the Cotton Belt project was considered a potential Phase III project, but DART is looking at advancing it with a Public-Private-Partnership. If a private party designs, builds, and operates it, I'm not sure whether to place it in either Dart phases (II or III) will be proper.

[NThomas]

Sure. Phase II projects are those announced to be completed by 2018 or so.
Phase III projects are those listed on Dart's 2030 plan, but will not be completed by 2018.

All Phase I projects were completed by 2002, specifically the Red & Blue Lines.
Phase II projects are Green & Orange Lines, extensions of the Blue Line, and the D2 corridor downtown. All Phase II projects are being built, or have studies underway today.
Phase III projects are extensions of the Red Line to Red Bird, a new line in West Dallas possibly along Singleton Road, and the new line possibly along Scyene Road in East Dallas. None of the Phase III projects have any studies being performed.

Initially, the Cotton Belt project was considered a potential Phase III project, but DART is looking at advancing it with a Public-Private-Partnership. If a private party designs, builds, and operates it, I'm not sure whether to place it in either Dart phases (II or III) will be proper.
Thanks! :)

[xen0blue]

Sure. Phase II projects are those announced to be completed by 2018 or so.
Phase III projects are those listed on Dart's 2030 plan, but will not be completed by 2018.

All Phase I projects were completed by 2002, specifically the Red & Blue Lines.
Phase II projects are Green & Orange Lines, extensions of the Blue Line, and the D2 corridor downtown. All Phase II projects are being built, or have studies underway today.
Phase III projects are extensions of the Red Line to Red Bird, a new line in West Dallas possibly along Singleton Road, and the new line possibly along Scyene Road in East Dallas. None of the Phase III projects have any studies being performed.

Initially, the Cotton Belt project was considered a potential Phase III project, but DART is looking at advancing it with a Public-Private-Partnership. If a private party designs, builds, and operates it, I'm not sure whether to place it in either Dart phases (II or III) will be proper.

I'm personally anxiously awaiting them to extend the red line to red bird, since I grew up in duncanville (although I don't live there anymore I always felt it was one of the more needing areas of town)

[electricron]

I'm personally anxiously awaiting them to extend the red line to red bird, since I grew up in duncanville (although I don't live there anymore I always felt it was one of the more needing areas of town)

i'll agree, extending the Red line south through Duncanville all the way to Cedar Hill is possible. Too bad Duncanville and Cedar Hill aren't DART member cities.

Duncanville could be adding $5 Million sales tax revenues into DART's bank accounts yearly. Cedar Hill could be adding $10 Million sales tax revenues. DeSoto could be adding $6 Million sales tax revenue too.

FYI: Rowlett gives DART $3.3 Million in sales tax revenues yearly.

DART is spending nearly $200 Million to extend the Blue line 5 miles to Rowlett (approximately $40 Million per mile). Rowlett will take 60 years at that rate to pay DART back the costs for that much infrastructure. Rowlett will have been a member city of DART almost 30 years before getting rail service.

It's 1.7 miles from Red Bird Lane in Dallas to Center Street and 2.2 miles to Wheatland Road in Duncanville.
At $40 Million per mile, the cost for DART to extend the Red line to Duncanville is between $68 to $88 Million.

At $5 Million per year, it'll take Duncanville less than 20 years to pay DART off the cost of the infrastructure.

[NThomas]

i'll agree, extending the Red line south through Duncanville all the way to Cedar Hill is possible. Too bad Duncanville and Cedar Hill aren't DART member cities.

Duncanville could be adding $5 Million sales tax revenues into DART's bank accounts yearly. Cedar Hill could be adding $10 Million sales tax revenues. DeSoto could be adding $6 Million sales tax revenue too.

FYI: Rowlett gives DART $3.3 Million in sales tax revenues yearly.

DART is spending nearly $200 Million to extend the Blue line 5 miles to Rowlett (approximately $40 Million per mile). Rowlett will take 60 years at that rate to pay DART back the costs for that much infrastructure. Rowlett will have been a member city of DART almost 30 years before getting rail service.

It's 1.7 miles from Red Bird Lane in Dallas to Center Street and 2.2 miles to Wheatland Road in Duncanville.
At $40 Million per mile, the cost for DART to extend the Red line to Duncanville is between $68 to $88 Million.

At $5 Million per year, it'll take Duncanville less than 20 years to pay DART off the cost of the infrastructure.

This is kinda off topic, but is there a site that lists all the sales tax reports from the previous (or later) year for Dallas area cities?

[Leehyori]

thank you so much for your post
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[electricron]

This is kinda off topic, but is there a site that lists all the sales tax reports from the previous (or later) year for Dallas area cities?

I like using the city-data.com web site to find these numbers. For example, here's what is reported for Arlington as far as taxes are concerned, and how it would effect FWTA.
http://www.city-data.com/city/Arlington-Texas.html

Tax - Property: $101,825,000
General Sales and Gross Receipts: $60,476,000
Public Utilities Sales: $28,928,000
Other Selective Sales: $5,261,000
Other License: $3,393,000
Occupation and Business License, NEC: $1,012,000
Amusements Sales: $102,000
Alcoholic Beverage License: $72,000

But, you have to look up each city separately, and the data could be several years old.

[saxman66]

Does anyone know what the construction along SH 114 and Loop 12 are? When I went to an Orange Line meeting a couple months ago, it seems like I heard the guy say the Orange Line, after crossing over the Trinity River parallel to Spur 482, it was going to run in the MEDIAN of SH 114. I thought surely I heard wrong, and according to drawings, it looks like the line is just going to be next to 114 and the UD Station is going to be next to 114 at Tom Braniff Dr. But it looks like as I drive down 114, they have widened the median with concrete walls and looks like they are starting to build something big there. Or is this going to be a totally separate road project?

[dfwcre8tive]

Does anyone know what the construction along SH 114 and Loop 12 are? When I went to an Orange Line meeting a couple months ago, it seems like I heard the guy say the Orange Line, after crossing over the Trinity River parallel to Spur 482, it was going to run in the MEDIAN of SH 114. I thought surely I heard wrong, and according to drawings, it looks like the line is just going to be next to 114 and the UD Station is going to be next to 114 at Tom Braniff Dr. But it looks like as I drive down 114, they have widened the median with concrete walls and looks like they are starting to build something big there. Or is this going to be a totally separate road project?

You are correct. The rail line will run between the main lanes and service road on the northeast side. They are also expanding the entire freeway and reconstructing the various interchanges. You can see the right of way they have cleared so that they can begin relocating the service road.

[dmorg12345]

If you want information on how the government raises money and how they spend it look in the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.

It has a ton of information, but is not very user friendly.

[dfwcre8tive]

Downtown Dallas rail line will need federal funds, DART new budget says
9:05 AM Tue, Aug 11, 2009
Michael Lindenberger/Reporter
http://transportationblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/08/downtown-dallas-rail-line-will.html

The DART budget committee has scheduled about an hour to talk about the transit agency's 2010 budget today. The fun starts at 3 p.m., starring budget committee chairman Ray Strauss.

...

The good stuff:

By borrowing $1 billion at really good rates (thanks Uncle Sam, for the Build America Bonds), DART now has the money it needs to build the third phase of the Orange Line, which will take the rail cars to DFW International Airport by 2013. This should end a lot of controversy and get plenty of folks in Irving excited.

...

[RobertB]

Wow, things are really hopping on the Orange Line. Here's the latest construction update in my email:

Bridge construction including girder erection will continue for the Harry Hines/I-35E/Trinity River bridge structure from Jamison/Bachman Station to the west side of the levy on the Spur 482 frontage road. Certain aspects of bridge construction will require full closures to avoid work over live traffic. There will be night closures of the ramp from eastbound Northwest Hwy. to Harry Hines on Friday, September 25, Monday, October 5 and Tuesday, October 6 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

[Mballar]

Wow, things are really hopping on the Orange Line. Here's the latest construction update in my email:

Bridge construction including girder erection will continue for the Harry Hines/I-35E/Trinity River bridge structure from Jamison/Bachman Station to the west side of the levy on the Spur 482 frontage road. Certain aspects of bridge construction will require full closures to avoid work over live traffic. There will be night closures of the ramp from eastbound Northwest Hwy. to Harry Hines on Friday, September 25, Monday, October 5 and Tuesday, October 6 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
I'm not sure many people realize that the Orange line is going to cross over I35. You can see the columns that will hold up the rail bridge going over 35 right now. By 2013, It's going to be very cool traveling on I35E and watching Orange Line trains pass overhead.

[electricron]

I'm not sure many people realize that the Orange line is going to cross over I35. You can see the columns that will hold up the rail bridge going over 35 right now. By 2013, It's going to be very cool traveling on I35E and watching Orange Line trains pass overhead.

Yes it will be an awesome sight. The only locales I'm aware of where DART light rail trains cross over freeways now are Blue line and I 635 and Red & Blue lines over I-30. Both are very short viaducts, the trains zip by really fast, consider yourself lucky if you see the trains regularly.

[saxman66]

If you haven't seen the flyover in the Harry Hines/482/Northwest Hwy, its coming along quite quickly. They've almost crossed over the entire intersection. Many ramps are closed as I found out the hard way. I believe the Orange line will cross over SH 114 at Northwest Hwy. That should be quite the flyover too. Can't wait to see the plans for DFW entry.

[maconahey]

Here's a detailed route on page 2: http://www.dart.org/about/expansion/dartorangelineprojectoverviewsummer09.pdf

[Speedbump Joey]

If you haven't seen the flyover in the Harry Hines/482/Northwest Hwy, its coming along quite quickly. They've almost crossed over the entire intersection. Many ramps are closed as I found out the hard way. I believe the Orange line will cross over SH 114 at Northwest Hwy. That should be quite the flyover too. Can't wait to see the plans for DFW entry.

Took them about a month from when they said go to do most of the heavy drilling and lifting over that part. They are really hauling butt on the Orange line.

Looking at the map, I thought that there was going to be a station that sat across from the North Irving Transit center, on the South side of Spur 348, then continue on to Irving Convention Center. I must have lost my mind. Any schematics or plans on how the two will be connected. Cause in this picture it shows what could be a walkway connecting the two areas.
http://www.dart.org/images/newsroom/jpgs/northlascolinasstation.jpg

[NThomas]

I'm not sure many people realize that the Orange line is going to cross over I35. You can see the columns that will hold up the rail bridge going over 35 right now. By 2013, It's going to be very cool traveling on I35E and watching Orange Line trains pass overhead.
I've been wondering what that is... I thought maybe it was some elevated bus lane or something.

[dfwcre8tive]

Took them about a month from when they said go to do most of the heavy drilling and lifting over that part. They are really hauling butt on the Orange line.

Looking at the map, I thought that there was going to be a station that sat across from the North Irving Transit center, on the South side of Spur 348, then continue on to Irving Convention Center. I must have lost my mind. Any schematics or plans on how the two will be connected. Cause in this picture it shows what could be a walkway connecting the two areas.


I think there was a plan at one time to extend the Las Colinas APT to the convention center, and from there visitors would be able to take that to the Lake Carolyn Station. I'm sure the future development around the N Las Colinas Station will be very pedestrian oriented. It will be quite the hike to the existing North Irving Transit Center

[frankchitown]

I noticed the new overpass coming home from Denton tonight, and came here to verify that it was Orange Line construction. That's going to be an amazing ride from DFW to DTD. But what amazes me more is that elevated rail seems to be no problem outside of DTD, but is not even an option for where it would be most beneficial...downtown. Trains are not supposed to stop at red lights.

[dfwcre8tive]

Took them about a month from when they said go to do most of the heavy drilling and lifting over that part. They are really hauling butt on the Orange line.

Looking at the map, I thought that there was going to be a station that sat across from the North Irving Transit center, on the South side of Spur 348, then continue on to Irving Convention Center. I must have lost my mind. Any schematics or plans on how the two will be connected. Cause in this picture it shows what could be a walkway connecting the two areas.


Looking at the latest maps, they have changed the name from "North Las Colinas" to "Irving Convention Center" for this station. That assumes there will be a very good connection between the convention center and station. Will they extend the APT through the convention center to the station, or just provide a very long walkway?

[ancientshoes]

I noticed the new overpass coming home from Denton tonight, and came here to verify that it was Orange Line construction. That's going to be an amazing ride from DFW to DTD. But what amazes me more is that elevated rail seems to be no problem outside of DTD, but is not even an option for where it would be most beneficial...downtown. Trains are not supposed to stop at red lights.

THIS.

[Speedbump Joey]

Looking at the latest maps, they have changed the name from "North Las Colinas" to "Irving Convention Center" for this station. That assumes there will be a very good connection between the convention center and station. Will they extend the APT through the convention center to the station, or just provide a very long walkway?

I remember seeing something, on here I believe, showing that the APT is connecting right into the LRT. I believe DART released something on this also, and it would be great to see the APT system finally live up to it's potential.

Now on the other hand, on the north side of Spur 348, there is a bunch of town homes and a new residential development going on all around the transit center. That a year ago was nothing but a field. On the south side it looks like the utilities are being moved and looks as if there will be some development around the south side of 348 as you are saying.

Las Colinas Blvd, Lake Carolyn Parkway appear to look like they are going to be connected, with Las Colinas connecting with Spur 348 to help with traffic in and around the convention center in particular.

[warlock55]

I noticed the new overpass coming home from Denton tonight, and came here to verify that it was Orange Line construction. That's going to be an amazing ride from DFW to DTD. But what amazes me more is that elevated rail seems to be no problem outside of DTD, but is not even an option for where it would be most beneficial...downtown. Trains are not supposed to stop at red lights.

Wellll...there are a lot of problems with elevated rail lines, because they have a similar effect as elevated freeways on the ground beneath and adjacent to them. Subways are really the best way to go, apart from the inconvenient cost factor. :rolleyes:

[electricron]

Originally Posted by frankchitown
I noticed the new overpass coming home from Denton tonight, and came here to verify that it was Orange Line construction. That's going to be an amazing ride from DFW to DTD. But what amazes me more is that elevated rail seems to be no problem outside of DTD, but is not even an option for where it would be most beneficial...downtown. Trains are not supposed to stop at red lights.

Look at the differences between these two photos;

(1) Downtown Dallas street mall
http://www.dart.org/images/newsroom/preview/westendstationhorse.jpg

(2) Downtown Singapore
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l74/Thaitransit/Modern%20Mass%20transit%20rail/P1000863a.jpg

The differences are obviously apparent. As a pedestrian, which train would you feel more comfortable trying to catch?

Elevated train stations in downtown areas are always huge monstrosities. They need to be that huge because the passenger traffic at them is so large. You have to have more elevators, escalators, and stairways, plus larger platforms for embarking and disembarking passengers.......

DART gets away with smaller elevated stations and platforms outside the central business district because passenger traffic is much less. Don't expect a smaller station like these in downtown Dallas.

http://www.dart.org/images/newsroom/preview/lrtparklane.jpg

[RobertB]

Or for an example closer to home, here's a picture under the Chicago Loop (from a Swiss guy's travelogue (http://www.arrakeen.ch/usacan/usacan.html)):

http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=541

I don't think we're going to be able to sell *that* to downtown backers... especially when there's still support (if not money) for getting rid of the Julius Schepps overhead that cuts off downtown from Deep Ellum.

[warlock55]

Yeah, most elevated rail lines in North American downtowns are left over from a time when subways weren't a viable option because the technology wasn't ready yet.

[electricron]

To add, Vancouver's almost entirely elevated Skytrain transit system goes underground in the central business district. I wonder why?

[Las Colinas]

Yes it will be an awesome sight. The only locales I'm aware of where DART light rail trains cross over freeways now are Blue line and I 635 and Red & Blue lines over I-30. Both are very short viaducts, the trains zip by really fast, consider yourself lucky if you see the trains regularly.


Are these the columns on 635 across from the Nokia offices?


Also it appears that the line will be hopefully connected to the Convention center, maybe they'll even have the same opening day?

But, construction for the new Las Colinas convention center has been started for ages now and the line is nowhere near Las Colinas yet.

[Speedbump Joey]

Are these the columns on 635 across from the Nokia offices?

No, those are at 114 and George Bush Turnpike, and have been there long before GBT was in existence.


But, construction for the new Las Colinas convention center has been started for ages now and the line is nowhere near Las Colinas yet.
Transit related construction is a lot less difficult than structure construction. Yes the structure of the convention center is going up fast, and that is usually the quickest part. But, remember all the interior work, wiring, plumbing, drywall, etc. that has to take place in order for it to be of some use. They have till December 2011 to get the rail line into operation, and I think it easily will be ready by then.

[RobertB]

Check THIS out!

http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=542

That's from the brand-new "Irving 3 Newsletter Issue 1 - Fall 2009" .pdf, available here (http://www.dart.org/about/expansion/orangeline.asp#dfw). In case it's not immediately obvious from the picture (or if you're reading this in the future), with emphasis added by me:

The Irving-3 DFW Extension Project is currently under design and will consist of two phases.

Phase I follows SH114, crosses Airfield Drive and then hooks into Terminal A (see the map of the Orange Line extension). This route offers a direct ride from Dallas through Irving/Las Colinas to the airport.

Phase II will create an extended loop up to the North Station area near the Cotton Belt rail corridor. The alignment will turn south into Terminal A. The second phase will connect commuter rail along the Cotton Belt rail corridor to the DART LRT system.

The newsletter goes on to say:

At the same time DART is developing the Irving-3 extension, the T is moving forward on the Southwest-to-Northeast Rail Corridor (SW2NE) project. SW2NE will utilize the DART-owned Cotton Belt rail corridor and is expected to provide commuter rail service to Terminal B by 2013. The terminal stations will connect light rail and commuter rail passengers and DFW Airport employees to the Terminal Link and SkyLink systems.

The North Station area will be a new transportation hub for the region creating an opportunity for new development on airport property. With connections to DFW Airport and the future Cotton Belt rail corridor, transit riders will have even greater access to jobs and places of interest throughout the metroplex.
Wow. Wow!

Edit: Just found the thread that deals with the Orange Line/DFW specifically (http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/showthread.php?t=10461), so I'll add this there as well. That's probably where the implications need to be discussed, since it won't be built in the same phase as the part that's currently under construction.

[RobertB]

Actually, buried in the larger .pdf on the DART site, is an interesting tidbit that answers a long-standing question about the Orange Line routing *after* downtown Dallas:

Irving 3 is an extension of the Orange Line and would serve Irving, then interline with the Green Line and terminate at Lawnview Station. In the peak hour, Orange line trains would also serve areas north of downtown roughly following US-75, interlining with the existing DART Red line, to terminate at the existing Parker Road Station.
So, the Orange Line trains will go to the end of the Red Line during peak hours, and to the *midpoint* of the Green Line during the off-peak.

I don't think anyone guessed *that*! Direct peak-hour service from Plano to Love Field and DFW.

Anyone want to take a shot at an updated system map?

[dfwcre8tive]

Actually, buried in the larger .pdf on the DART site, is an interesting tidbit that answers a long-standing question about the Orange Line routing *after* downtown Dallas:

Irving 3 is an extension of the Orange Line and would serve Irving, then interline with the Green Line and terminate at Lawnview Station. In the peak hour, Orange line trains would also serve areas north of downtown roughly following US-75, interlining with the existing DART Red line, to terminate at the existing Parker Road Station.
So, the Orange Line trains will go to the end of the Red Line during peak hours, and to the *midpoint* of the Green Line during the off-peak.

I don't think anyone guessed *that*! Direct peak-hour service from Plano to Love Field and DFW.

Anyone want to take a shot at an updated system map?

That's great news. And you know what that means... future Orange Line service down Scyene Road to Mesquite (someday). That D2 route needs to be built ASAP.

[CTroyMathis]

Anyone want to take a shot at an updated system map?

Indeed, I would certainly like to give that a go.

[RobertB]

Hmm, if you assume that the Orange Line will use the D2 route, and they run it like they're saying (with a drunk-eating wye south of Deep Ellum Station), then your routings would be:

Orange-Green: Victory, West End, [south downtown], Baylor, Fair Park
Orange-Red: Victory, West End, [south downtown], Deep Ellum, Cityplace

Meanwhile the Green Line wouldn't actually serve Deep Ellum Station any more -- which would leave the station with peak-only service. That doesn't make a whole lotta sense... so I suspect the Green Line will run through Deep Ellum Station and the downtown Transit Mall during off-peak hours. That gives D-E coverage during all hours, while still reducing the impact on the Transit Mall during peaks.

Not that any of this matters until the D2 project gets built. It's still going to be a complete mess getting those Orange-labelled trains through downtown.

[CTroyMathis]

Northwest corridor rail line to Irving and DFW Airport recognized
Orange Line Wins Environmental Excellence Award
October 5, 2009
Visit: http://www.dart.org/news/news.asp?ID=878

Dallas Area Rapid Transit's (DART) Northwest Corridor to Irving/DFW Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) is the recipient of the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Outstanding Achievement Award for Excellence in Environmental Document Preparation. The FEIS provided the environmental clearances for the first nine miles of the Orange Line extending from Bachman Station in northwest Dallas to Belt Line Station near DFW International Airport.

DART is only the second winner of this FTA award, which will be presented in Orlando, Florida at the annual October meeting of the American Public Transportation Association. . .

Slightly more after the jump. . .




RE: APTAs 2009 Annual Meeting
http://www.apta.com/mc/conferences/90days/2009annual/Pages/default.aspx

[xen0blue]

Northwest corridor rail line to Irving and DFW Airport recognized
Orange Line Wins Environmental Excellence Award
October 5, 2009
Visit: http://www.dart.org/news/news.asp?ID=878

Dallas Area Rapid Transit's (DART) Northwest Corridor to Irving/DFW Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) is the recipient of the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Outstanding Achievement Award for Excellence in Environmental Document Preparation. The FEIS provided the environmental clearances for the first nine miles of the Orange Line extending from Bachman Station in northwest Dallas to Belt Line Station near DFW International Airport.

DART is only the second winner of this FTA award, which will be presented in Orlando, Florida at the annual October meeting of the American Public Transportation Association. . .

Slightly more after the jump. . .

RE: APTAs 2009 Annual Meeting
http://www.apta.com/mc/conferences/90days/2009annual/Pages/default.aspx

Wow, what an honor *rolls eyes*

[CTroyMathis]

I think that is a very interesting point, Robert. I hadn't noticed that until you mentioned it. . .

"Hmm", indeed.

[TheMapman]

Hmm, if you assume that the Orange Line will use the D2 route, and they run it like they're saying (with a drunk-eating wye south of Deep Ellum Station), then your routings would be:

Orange-Green: Victory, West End, [south downtown], Baylor, Fair Park
Orange-Red: Victory, West End, [south downtown], Deep Ellum, Cityplace

Meanwhile the Green Line wouldn't actually serve Deep Ellum Station any more -- which would leave the station with peak-only service. That doesn't make a whole lotta sense... so I suspect the Green Line will run through Deep Ellum Station and the downtown Transit Mall during off-peak hours. That gives D-E coverage during all hours, while still reducing the impact on the Transit Mall during peaks.

Not that any of this matters until the D2 project gets built. It's still going to be a complete mess getting those Orange-labelled trains through downtown.

Or they can pull a V and have the train switch travel directions at the DE station - the D2 track will split at the east end to allow a train to go both north towards the DE station or east towards the Baylor station.