Cross-Rail Cotton Belt line a decade early? Some hurdles remain
July 26th, 2016
Updated July 28, 2016 - Dallas Morning News compilation of two stories this week on potential service on the long-delayed Cotton Belt cross-county passenger rail service in Northern Dallas and suburbs.
Getting Cotton Belt rail service a decade early could come with some limitations
July 28, 2016 - Dallas Morning News
By Brandon Formby Follow @brandonformby bformby@dallasnews.com
Transportation Writer
By Brandon Formby Follow @brandonformby bformby@dallasnews.com
A key part of fast-tracking rail service on the Cotton Belt line from DFW International to Plano hinges on lowering construction costs. To do that, Dallas Area Rapid Transit is considering single-tracking most of the route instead of double-tracking the entire path.
The transit agency and area cities are trying to find ways to get service on the line by 2025 or sooner, at least a decade ahead of current plans to have trains running by 2035.
Having two sets of tracks the entire way would allow trains to move in both directions without interfering with each other. But that's more expensive. Having one set is cheaper, but also comes with some operational inflexibility.
Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/transportation/20160728-getting-cotton-belt-rail-service-a-decade-early-could-come-with-some-limitations.ece
Plano poised to spend $12 million fast-tracking Cotton Belt rail service, but hurdles remain
July 26, 2016 - Dallas Morning News
By BRANDON FORMBY
and JULIE FANCHER
Plano's initial support for spending $12.3 million to fast-track rail service on the Cotton Belt line is a sign that some Dallas Area Rapid Transit members are willing to chip in extra money for the long-lingering project.
But several political and financial hurdles remain before DART can get passenger service on the east-west line before it's scheduled opening in 2035. For one thing, Plano's contribution is a drop in the bucket for what would be a $1 billion project. For another, DART's attempts to run trains on the line by 2025 or sooner is already igniting tensions in some North Texas cities about whether the agency should focus on urban or suburban service expansions.
Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/transportation/20160726-plano-poised-to-spend-12-million-fast-tracking-cotton-belt-rail-service-but-plenty-of-hurdles-remain.ece
Getting Cotton Belt rail service a decade early could come with some limitations
July 28, 2016 - Dallas Morning News
By Brandon Formby Follow @brandonformby bformby@dallasnews.com
Transportation Writer
By Brandon Formby Follow @brandonformby bformby@dallasnews.com
A key part of fast-tracking rail service on the Cotton Belt line from DFW International to Plano hinges on lowering construction costs. To do that, Dallas Area Rapid Transit is considering single-tracking most of the route instead of double-tracking the entire path.
The transit agency and area cities are trying to find ways to get service on the line by 2025 or sooner, at least a decade ahead of current plans to have trains running by 2035.
Having two sets of tracks the entire way would allow trains to move in both directions without interfering with each other. But that's more expensive. Having one set is cheaper, but also comes with some operational inflexibility.
Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/transportation/20160728-getting-cotton-belt-rail-service-a-decade-early-could-come-with-some-limitations.ece
Plano poised to spend $12 million fast-tracking Cotton Belt rail service, but hurdles remain
July 26, 2016 - Dallas Morning News
By BRANDON FORMBY
and JULIE FANCHER
Plano's initial support for spending $12.3 million to fast-track rail service on the Cotton Belt line is a sign that some Dallas Area Rapid Transit members are willing to chip in extra money for the long-lingering project.
But several political and financial hurdles remain before DART can get passenger service on the east-west line before it's scheduled opening in 2035. For one thing, Plano's contribution is a drop in the bucket for what would be a $1 billion project. For another, DART's attempts to run trains on the line by 2025 or sooner is already igniting tensions in some North Texas cities about whether the agency should focus on urban or suburban service expansions.
Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/transportation/20160726-plano-poised-to-spend-12-million-fast-tracking-cotton-belt-rail-service-but-plenty-of-hurdles-remain.ece