Future DART Stations Not Part of 2030 Plan?

[Mballar]

The following document (http://www.dallascityhall.com/committee_briefings/briefings0208/TR_FiveStudyRezoning_022608.pdf) (pg. 16 & 17) shows a future DART "express rail station" here:

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?wip=2&v=2&style=r&rtp=~&&msnurl=home.aspx?%26redirect%3dfalse&msnculture=en-US#JnE9eXAuMzU5NitlJTQwMitsZWRiZXR0ZXIrZHJpdmUrZGFsbGFzK3RleGFzJTdlc3N0LjAlN2VwZy4xJmJiPTMyLjcwMzUxOTE3NzkyNjklN2UtOTYuNzUzODM1MTQ1MjMxNCU3ZTMyLjcwMDEzNDA0OTEzMTclN2UtOTYuNzU3NjkzMjgxNTU5NA==

Does DART own these tracks? This is very interesting!

[FoUTASportscaster]

No, they don't own that. When they say express, they mean commuter rail. Specifically, this is part of the NTCoG's regional rail plan. This particular line is owned by UP and is planned for a rail line from Waxahatchie through Red Oak and Lancaster on its way to this point, and then DTD.

[Mballar]

Thanks for the info. Do you have a link to NTCOG's plans in this regard?

[FoUTASportscaster]

While the is nothing that is close to even being tentatuvely set in butter, let alone stone, this link may provide some help. If does have the planned CRT line from Waxahachie to DTD.

http://www.nctcog.org/trans/outreach/meetings/10RegTransOpps.pdf

[Mballar]

Thanks again. Before you posted, I took the liberty of searching the NTCoG site for the info, and found that this rail line is plotted in a number of different documents, including the one you linked. I had no idea. I'll be keeping my eye on these developments more closely now.

[FoUTASportscaster]

Well, the funding has to come first, before any of this happens. Right now, the easiest one is a sales tax exemption, but that doesn't seem likely. Somehow, trim government programs that are ineffective has not come to the table yet.

[RobertB]

Well, the funding has to come first, before any of this happens. Right now, the easiest one is a sales tax exemption, but that doesn't seem likely. Somehow, trim government programs that are ineffective has not come to the table yet.
Don't forget, though, that some people (one in particular, named for a fictional serial killer) would argue that DART is one of those "ineffective government programs". :2doh:

[Hannibal Lecter]

^ Hey, just who are you calling "fictional"?

Let's talk about it at dinner sometime.

- HL

[DFWCRE8TIVE]

The stretch between Baylor/Fair Park Stations could have an Expo Park Station next to Main Street. That area is changing with a lot of new residential construction, and has even more room for growth. Was there ever a Green Line station planned for this area, and would it be practical to add one in the future?

[electricron]

That depends upon whether you consider this area downtown Dallas or not. :confused:
It's only 1.1 miles from the center of the platforms between Baylor and Fair Park stations. Main street is just a half mile away from Baylor station. One mile distance between stations is considered optimal for "rapid" light rail, outside the CBD. In CBDs, a third to a half mile is considered optimal between stations.

I suppose Dart could add a station at Main or Commerce later,after the area densifies more, as the tracks are straight and there is plenty of room for 420 feet platforms and trains without blocking street traffic. But I don't think Dart had planned to add a station there.

[DFWCRE8TIVE]

With the redevelopment of Deep Ellum I think the area would have the density and land use to be considered "downtown." Right now Expo Park seems like it's in the middle of everything but isolated at the same time. Maybe the area would better be served by streetcar coming down Main from downtown and then turning down Exposition to connect to the Fair Park Station.

[electricron]

With the redevelopment of Deep Ellum I think the area would have the density and land use to be considered "downtown." Right now Expo Park seems like it's in the middle of everything but isolated at the same time. Maybe the area would better be served by streetcar coming down Main from downtown and then turning down Exposition to connect to the Fair Park Station.

You have a point. But it wouldn''t hurt to have a transfer station between light rail and streetcar (at Main, or at Fair Park) on the east side of a future Main street trolley line.

[Mballar]

Maybe the area would better be served by streetcar coming down Main from downtown and then turning down Exposition to connect to the Fair Park Station.
I think a line down Canton might be better since main is narrower than Canton. Also, since Main is just 2 blocks south from the Green Line, a line down Canton might help to capture more traffic from the southern half of Deep Ellum.

[electricron]

That's the major reason I prefer Main over Commerce and Elm, being just two lanes with extra wide sidewalks in Deep Ellum, it is more pedestrian friendly from the start.

I don't believe auto traffic on Main would object as much with the streetcar stopping in front of them so passengers can get on and off as they would on Elm, Commerce, or Canton.

[DFWCRE8TIVE]

Looks like they were planning an Arts District Station one time, before the downtown transit mall was constructed.

http://www.oglesbygreene.com/planning/DART.pdf