A 26-mile-long commuter rail project constructed across multiple suburban Dallas communities seems destined to be a marathon effort. Add in an assortment of daunting challenges presented by the pandemic and the DART Silver Line project feels more like completing an Ironman competition.
From the earliest stages of planning for the $1.9-billion Silver Line project, Dallas Area Rapid Transit knew it faced a long list of stakeholders. The regional rail line, which is currently scheduled for completion in 2025, will extend between DFW Airport and Plano, traversing seven cities: Grapevine, Coppell, Dallas, Carrollton, Addison, Richardson and Plano. The project would also require coordination with five railroad companies. Although it will provide new rail service, the project uses an existing freight rail alignment. Freight service would need to continue on portions of the project during construction. Further, the alignment is used by multiple utilities, including 15 miles of high-pressure natural gas lines and 22 miles of fiber optic lines that are part of a coast-to-coast line.