DART Green Line Construction Progress | v2.0

[RobertB]

Less than four years after the Green Line Construction Progress (http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/showthread.php?t=6907) thread was opened, the first segment is a reality, from MLK through Downtown to the now fully-active Victory Station.

But there's still 20+ miles to go! With almost 1000 posts in the original thread, I think it's time to open a new thread for discussion of the continuing project, as well as ongoing comments on the newly-opened segment.

Originally scheduled in several phases, like the other lines, the Green Line "Phase II" will open all-at-once. The big reveal is scheduled for December 2010. Watch this space for the latest updates!

[electricron]

Yes, I hope this thread contains all brand new material about next year's stations,etc......
Never-the-less, there was a question from the old thread that needs answering......

Those are cool posters. Does anyone know what the station besides 114 in the CFB area will be called?
The Green line train stations in the CFB area will be called, from south to north;
(1) Farmers Branch Station located just south of Valley View Lane on the east side of Denton Drive
(2) Downtown Carrollton Station located at Belt Line Road and Broadway Street
(3) Trinity Mills Station located at Trinity Mills Road and Broadway Street
(4) North Carrollton/Frankford Station located just south of Frankford Road

SH 114 doesn't even run through Carrollton or Farmers Branch. It's no where close to the Green Line until it merges onto IH 35E. It runs through Irving roughly paralleling the future Orange line.

[Double Wide]

Is the green line up and running now?

[Speedbump Joey]

Is the green line up and running now?

Yes it is, from Victory through downtown to MLK Jr. Station.

[dfwcre8tive]

DART's new map:

http://www.dart.org/maps/gifmaps/dartrailmapsept2009large.gif

[Speedbump Joey]

I love how they have the terminus stations highlighted.

[NThomas]

The new map looks bad ass.

[rcravenstx]

Thanks also for your compliments on the new DART Rail system map. I designed that too, and put a lot of time, research, effort and thought into it. It was my hope all along that the end users would notice that a great deal of care was put into it.

[NThomas]

Thanks also for your compliments on the new DART Rail system map. I designed that too, and put a lot of time, research, effort and thought into it. It was my hope all along that the end users would notice that a great deal of care was put into it.
Since the TRE is a joint venture by DART, I understand why they'd want to show the TRE but have you heard anything about including DCTA's A-train onto future DART system maps?

[Speedbump Joey]

Thanks also for your compliments on the new DART Rail system map. I designed that too, and put a lot of time, research, effort and thought into it. It was my hope all along that the end users would notice that a great deal of care was put into it.


Are there new printed system maps that are available?

[rcravenstx]

Since the TRE is a joint venture by DART, I understand why they'd want to show the TRE but have you heard anything about including DCTA's A-train onto future DART system maps?
I designed the map to go ahead and include both the Orange Line and the A-train. Both actually exist now in the map, but they're currently located in hidden Adobe Illustrator layers. They can easily be shown at the appropriate time in the future.

[rcravenstx]

Are there new printed system maps that are available?
The only printed copies of the new DART Rail system map so far are located in the new "How To Ride Guide." The guide is currently being printed, and should be available soon.

[Speedbump Joey]

I designed the map to go ahead and include both the Orange Line and the A-train. Both actually exist now in the map, but they're currently located in hidden Adobe Illustrator layers. They can easily be shown at the appropriate time in the future.
Stop teasing me! :Banana09:

[electricron]

Look's like you forgot the Blue line extension to Rowlett.
Hello! Construction has started on it and the Orange line too.

[Mballar]

Are there new printed system maps that are available?
For anyone who cares to know, new DART System Maps, including the Green Line, are, and have been, available for at least 2 weeks. You can find them on buses and trains, at DART's East and West Transfer Centers, and DART Headquarters. I'm looking at one right now.

[RobertB]

rcravenstx, welcome to the forum! It's going to be great having you around. Please feel free to correct us when we get something less-than-correct... and try to understand when we (who don't do what you do for a living) throw brickbats at you. :)

To wit:

Look's like you forgot the Blue line extension to Rowlett.
Hello! Construction has started on it and the Orange line too.
The DART map has one audience: people riding the train. It has one purpose: Help those people get from point A to point B. Simplicity is key. Good cartography always involves a compromise between showing all the details and keeping the map clear.

The TxDOT Texas Highway Map is an example of failure -- they add the letter suffixes of the business routes, even though those letters have absolutely no meaning to the travelling public. (And don't even get me started on Spur 557!)

The DART System Map is an example of doing it right. It gets the people where they need to go, and is ready to expand.

I should have taken a picture of the schematic system map, used on the poles at the stations. rcravenstx. did you do that one, too? It rocks.

[mannypr]

It's probably a little early but are there any plans, news, or scetches for public art or designs on any of the Phase II stations yet?

[RobertB]

It's probably a little early but are there any plans, news, or scetches for public art or designs on any of the Phase II stations yet?
Station art has been an integral part of the initial design of the lines. The Green Line Stations (http://www.dart.org/about/expansion/greenlinestations.asp) page has details about all the stations -- though oddly, the art is only described for the Southeast stations. The Northwest station descriptions focus on nearby developments. Money north, art south. Hmm?

[UrbanHope]

I rode it yesterday to see what normal service is like and I like it. We did get stuck for a few minutes after we left Victory but glitches are expected on the first full day.

Video of my train ride from Saturday:

http://dallasprogress.blogspot.com/2009/09/darts-green-line-signals-new-era-of.html

[Speedbump Joey]

For anyone who cares to know, new DART System Maps, including the Green Line, are, and have been, available for at least 2 weeks. You can find them on buses and trains, at DART's East and West Transfer Centers, and DART Headquarters. I'm looking at one right now.
Thank you for checking into that. I will be getting one here in the next weekend or two.

[dfwcre8tive]

new map

[Speedbump Joey]

I'm so happy, at least some of them did their homework!

[Speedbump Joey]

Question, are the DART platforms long enough for DART to operate 3 A-C coupled trains, or are they not built long enough for that?

[electricron]

Question, are the DART platforms long enough for DART to operate 3 A-C coupled trains, or are they not built long enough for that?

All the new stations are long enough. DART is in the middle of the process of making the existing platforms long enough, or at least I thought so. This process will not be complete until summer 2010.....

Here's the schedule for train station modifications for the SLRV, as of today:
http://www.dart.org/about/expansion/constructionoslevelboarding.asp

RED LINE STATIONS
Tyler/Vernon Weekend Work Completed
LBJ/Central Weekend Work Completed
Hampton Weekend Work Completed
Bush Turnpike Weekend Work Completed
Arapaho Center Weekend Work Completed
Dallas Zoo Sept. 19-20, 26-27*, Oct. 3-4*, 2009
Downtown Plano Sept. 26-27, Oct. 3-4*, 10-11*, 2009
Parker Road Nov. 28-29, Dec. 5-6*, 12-13*, 2009
Galatyn Park Dec. 12-13, 19-20*, 26-27*, 2009
Lovers Lane Jan. 16-17, 23-24*, 30-31*, 2010
Westmoreland Jan. 23-24, 30-31*, Feb. 6-7*, 2010
Spring Valley Feb. 20-21, 27-28*, Mar. 6-7*, 2010
Forest Lane Mar. 13-14, 20-21*, 27-28*, 2010
Walnut Hill Apr. 3-4, 10-11*, 17-18*, 2010
Park Lane Apr. 24-25, May 1-2*, 8-9*, 2010

BLUE LINE STATIONS
White Rock Weekend Work Completed
LBJ/Skillman Weekend Work Completed
Kiest Oct. 17-18, 24-25*, 31-Nov. 1*, 2009
Illinois Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 7-8*, 14-15*, 2009
Forest/Jupiter Nov. 7-8, 14-15*, 21-22*, 2009
Ledbetter Nov. 21-22, 28-29*, Dec. 5-6*, 2009
VA Medical Center Jan. 9-10, 16-17*, 23-24,* 2010
Downtown Garland Feb. 6-7, 13-14*, 20-21*, 2010

RED AND BLUE LINE STATIONS
8th & Corinth Weekend Work Completed
Cedars Weekend Work Completed
Convention Center Oct. 10-11, 17-18*, 24-25*, 2009
Cityplace Dec. 19-20, 2009, to Jan. 9-10, 2010
Mockingbird May 15-16 to June 5-6, 2010
Union Station May 15-16 to Aug. 7-8, 2010

To add, many of the existing station platforms were initially built at 310 feet in length, all the Green line platforms and all newer platforms will be built at least 410 feet in length. Note that all the below and above grade stations are last on this list, with the sole exception being Union Station.

Is DART actually lengthening the platforms at all the old train stations? I hope so.

[Speedbump Joey]

I know of the level boarding project I was just unsure if they were also lengthening the stations. So then why don't they run a few less Red Line trains, a couple less Blue Line trains, but have them at the full length? Not that difficult.

[mjblazin]

The project puts humps alongside the platform that will line up with open doors of the new type of rail cars. Riders in chairs can then roll up and board. I don't think it extends the platforms.

[Speedbump Joey]

The project puts humps alongside the platform that will line up with open doors of the new type of rail cars. Riders in chairs can then roll up and board. I don't think it extends the platforms.

The whole platform is the same level with the new cars.

[msutton]

I totally disagree. Running shorter trains more frequently would make the system much more appealing. Who cares how long the train is if you have to wait 20 minutes for one to come?

[kenc]

The project puts humps alongside the platform that will line up with open doors of the new type of rail cars. Riders in chairs can then roll up and board. I don't think it extends the platforms.

I rode the train to Fair Park Station just for fun Tuesday and was very surprised to see that the brand new station is not "level boarding" compliant. You have to step up / down to board the train! I would have thought they would have built it to the level boarding specs so as not to have to rebuild at a later date.

[dfwcre8tive]

I rode the train to Fair Park Station just for fun Tuesday and was very surprised to see that the brand new station is not "level boarding" compliant. You have to step up / down to board the train! I would have thought they would have built it to the level boarding specs so as not to have to rebuild at a later date.

All new stations are built to the new level. Did you exit from the new lower section of the train?

[ebird]

I totally disagree. Running shorter trains more frequently would make the system much more appealing. Who cares how long the train is if you have to wait 20 minutes for one to come?

Ya, waiting inside a tunnel for ten minutes is pretty appealing.

[msutton]

^moreso than standing on a platform in 100+ degrees for the same ammount of time.

[oldchap]

I like the old map better. The lines were thicker, so each station circle was flush with the line itself. I haven't seen this design very often on transit system maps, where the station indicator is the same diameter as the rail line.

http://www.dart.org/images/expansion/greenline14sep09.gif

[TheMAN]

you still see that style of map design in the Hong Kong MTR

[electricron]

All new stations are built to the new level. Did you exit from the new lower section of the train?

Only the "C" section, middle car, of a DART SLRV will have level boarding....

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3228/3006553343_b39b86d52a.jpg

The existing "A" & "B" sections of a DART LRV will have one less step, but there will still be three steps to climb.

[dfwcre8tive]

Here's the new overhead map inside the trains.

[Speedbump Joey]

Here's the new overhead map inside the trains.

Those made me excited when I saw them. I cannot wait to see the Orange Line come in on it.

[dfwcre8tive]

Those made me excited when I saw them. I cannot wait to see the Orange Line come in on it.

Actually, one of the train's destination signs were messed up and it was stuck on "Bachman" with an orange background... oh, and I had to help 2 tourists state their innocence to the transit cop after they had been scammed at West End station into buying an invalid ticket.

[dfwcre8tive]

DART Green Line's arrival feted at State Fair
01:55 PM CDT on Friday, September 25, 2009
By MICHAEL LINDENBERGER and AVI SELK / The Dallas Morning News
mlindenberger@dallasnews.com; aselk@dallasnews.com
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/092609dnmetfairtrain.1b50cdbbd.html

A DART light-rail car full of dignitaries, including Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, pulled into Fair Park at 10 a.m. Friday amid fireworks and high expectations.

The arrival of the car coincided with the kickoff of the State Fair of Texas and marked the first train service to Fair Park in more than 50 years.

It represented a significant victory for DART, which has been promising for years to open the first four stations of its new $1.8 billion Green Line in time for the 2009 fair.

...

[cmacemm]

not sure if this is really the right thread, but i have never seen the DART or TRE trains so packed when i was on my way to the fair. it's great to see people from all areas of dfw using the system. the TRE looked like it had about twice as many cars as usual and every single car was stuffed with no standing room left. i also talked to a few first time riders who were more than pleased with the system WAY TO GO DFW!

[CTroyMathis]

Here's the new overhead map inside the trains.

Great! Thanks for posting that!

[UrbanBiker]

When are they going to go ahead and open up the streets which run along the rail on Good Latimar? Especialy between Live Oak and Central. That area is a pain!

[RobertB]

When are they going to go ahead and open up the streets which run along the rail on Good Latimar? Especialy between Live Oak and Central. That area is a pain!
I can't figure that out, either. Everything looks to be in place. My guess is that it has something to do with getting those rail timetables ironed out -- if the gates aren't down, you can't run the train -- but that's just pulled outta the air.

Last weekend, though, there was a sign flashing something about lane changes Sep 28 (today). So maybe they've opened it up now?

[RobertB]

Looks like DART added a special graphic to the front of the first State Fair train. Also, it spontaneously combusts (http://www.dart.org/newsroom/greenlinemediakit/default.asp#images), cool!
http://www.dart.org/images/newsroom/preview/fairparkfirsttrain.jpg

Has anyone seen whether the fancy front grillwork is a semi-permanent feature, or did they remove it after the photo-op? I can't read the train number, sorry.

[RayM]

I can't figure that out, either. Everything looks to be in place. My guess is that it has something to do with getting those rail timetables ironed out -- if the gates aren't down, you can't run the train -- but that's just pulled outta the air.

Last weekend, though, there was a sign flashing something about lane changes Sep 28 (today). So maybe they've opened it up now?
I sort of assumed they were waiting on the Routh St. widening by One Arts Plaza to be completed.

[dfwcre8tive]

GREEN LINE SCAVENGER HUNT

Hurry, space is running out quickly!

http://www.dmagazine.com/Buzzworthy/Dart_Green_Line_Scavenger_Hunt.aspx

http://www.dmagazine.com/images/buzzworthy/greenline/GreenLine_LandingPage_r1_c1.jpg

[RobertB]

Just got a note from DART that they're not going to have special Red/Blue Line trains to Victory Station for the Mavs-Cavs game on Saturday. I suspect the schedule disruption caused by the special trains is no longer worth the convenience of the direct connection, and that passengers can be expected to figure out how to transfer at West End Station.

I rode the trains a bit last weekend, just ambling about town, and Pearl Station was jam-packed with fair-goers. You could tell the crowd had come from the fair, because they were carrying stuffed animals and Ginsu knife sets, and smelled vaguely of fried butter (really!). The Blue Line train heading for Garland was packed like a Japanese bullet train. Before that, as we pulled in (empty) to Pearl, one guy on the train said he hadn't seen that many white folks waiting for the train since he left Michigan -- then saw me and we both laughed.

[mjblazin]

I had expected those Victory trains to end when Green line started. Those trains essentially took over every train during rush hour so northern riders got direct ride to AAC while southern bound riders like myself waited for the next train or sometimes the one after the next train. Then, if you want to go to AAC from the south, you rode up to West End and had to get on a V train going the reverse direction. Same thing with leaving AAC: northern users rode without a connection while southern users switched trains at West End. Put aside Shutze's ramblings about surburban dfomination of DART. That Victory arrangement was not a good deal for southern users.

[Speedbump Joey]

GREEN LINE SCAVENGER HUNT

Hurry, space is running out quickly!

http://www.dmagazine.com/Buzzworthy/Dart_Green_Line_Scavenger_Hunt.aspx

http://www.dmagazine.com/images/buzzworthy/greenline/GreenLine_LandingPage_r1_c1.jpg

Dammit, I will be in Seattle when this is going on. Looks like fun.

[MarkL2023]

I'll be there.