At DART, we’re always looking toward the future. Whether it’s providing new ways for North Texans to get around, connecting more of the region’s communities, or supporting North Texas’s continued growth, we’re constantly evolving to make mobility easier for everyone—even those who do not ride. A key part of a vision for the future involves continuing to invest in projects that that bolster the region’s economy and support future growth – projects like the Cotton Belt – recently named the Silver Line.

As we look to What’s Next for the Silver Line, there are a number of recent developments that we are excited to share with you!

Change Into What’s Next

Work on the project continues, but a big change is coming. On June 18, the DART Board of Directors announced that the future service running along the Cotton Belt corridor will be known as the Silver Line. Despite the name change, the Silver Line will continue to bring the same range of benefits to North Texas, including:

• Expanded transit options in the northern part of the DART Service Area;
• Connections to major employment, population and activity centers.
• Improved access to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, making regional, interstate and international travel easier;
• Additional employment and economic opportunities.

Ride Into What’s Next

North Texans traveling on the Silver Line will be riding on brand new diesel-electric trains. On May 28, the DART Board awarded the contract to Stadler US to assemble and build eight new Fast Light Intercity and Regional Trains (FLIRTs). The Stadler FLIRTs will be assembled and built right here in the USA. These self-propelled diesel trains not only meet the stringent Environmental Protection Agency emissions standards as well as the Federal Railroad Administration standards, they are fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ensuring that the Silver Line improves mobility for all its passengers, including those with special needs.

Progress Into What’s Next

Collaborating with local communities is a key part of the design work currently underway for the Silver Line project. DART is taking every effort to understand and, wherever possible, take on board the views of local residents as the project progresses, and continues to host community meetings and workshops to keep the community informed. Most recently, we have held a series of workshops to solicit feedback from residents to identify what they prefer in terms of betterment options like additional walls and landscaping that go above and beyond required mitigation. DART will be holding additional workshops in coming weeks to ensure local communities are as involved in as possible as the project progresses.

Notice of DART Quarterly Community Meetings Cotton Belt Corridor Regional Rail Project:

Monday, July 22, 2019, 6:30 p.m. (Plano and Richardson)

Courtyard Theater

1509 H Ave., Plano, TX 75074

Wednesday, July 31, 2019, 6:30 p.m. (Carrollton and Addison)

Crosby Recreation Center – Elm Fork Room

1610 E. Crosby Rd., Carrollton, TX 75006

Tuesday, August 6, 2019, 6:30 p.m. (DFW International Airport, Cypress Waters and Coppell)

The Sound at Cypress Waters -

Town Hall (Second Floor)

3111 Olympus Blvd., Dallas, TX 75019

Thursday, August 15, 2019, 6:30 p.m. (Dallas)

Shelton School & Evaluation Center

15720 Hillcrest Rd., Dallas, TX 75248

As we continue progressing the Silver Line project, we are here to keep you up-to-date on all of the developments. Stay tuned to DART Daily as the project progresses and for more information on check out DART.org/CottonBelt.