DART Silver Line Project Update: Is Completion Finally in Sight?
DART’s (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) Silver Line project, a 26-mile rail link in the North Texas region, is currently in its fifth year of construction and the progression of this project is steady. The transit agency is hopeful that it will be able to launch the much-awaited service in the near future.
When Will the Silver Line Open?
DART has set its target for providing revenue service by the end of 2025 or beginning of 2026 as stated by the agency’s spokesperson Mario Zavala. This is a significant shift from its original March 2023 completion date, which was delayed due to pandemic-induced supply chain disruptions. Despite setbacks, the $2.1 billion project is now approximately 85% complete.
The DART’s Silver Line is to connect Plano to DFW International Airport, and it will cover seven cities and three counties. DART President and CEO Nadine Lee described the project as a “major piece to solving the mobility puzzle in North Texas” by enhancing east-to-west transit connectivity.
DART conducted training runs of trains on the route between Richardson and Plano in the summer of 2024. The agency is currently in the process of completing this phase of testing and getting ready for its next segment which runs from Terminal B at DFW Airport to Downtown Carrollton. The end-to-end testing on the entire line is expected to be conducted by Summer 2025.
DART Silver Line Project Update: Construction Milestones
Key construction projects continue to move forward:
- Hillcrest Road: Some of the roads that were closed include Hillcrest Road in North Dallas for rail guideway construction and the road is expected to be opened by the end of January. DART’s construction team dug through 18 feet of rock and soil to construct a new road between McCallum Boulevard and Meandering Way.
- Maintenance Facility: DART began constructing a 40,000 square feet equipment maintenance facility in Plano at the Shiloh Road Station in October 2024. The Silver Line will use this facility as its operations and maintenance depot once service begins. DART recently bought a 20,000 square feet office building as part of the complex, which will house 65 employees and includes space for future expansion.
Working together with the Plano City Council, DART was able to reduce the construction costs for the facility by more than $30 million, which is evidence of good partnership.
Impact Beyond Transportation
The Silver Line project does not only change the regional transit; it also leads to new real estate developments. The maintenance facility which is situated near Shiloh Road Station is a major investment in the region’s infrastructure and is a perfect example how transit projects can lead to economic development.
DART’s Legacy in North Texas
DART’s Silver Line is one of the most anticipated lines to be incorporated in its already extensive network which serves about 220,000 passengers per day in 13 cities including Dallas, Irving, Carrollton, and Rowlett. With over 93 miles of track. DART boasts one of the largest light rail systems in the United States, second only to Los Angeles.
Read also: The High-Speed Rail Revolution: Connecting Cities and Economies
DART Silver Line Project Factsheet
Project Overview
26-mile rail connection linking Plano to DFW Airport
Budget: $2.1 billion
Current completion: 85%
Timeline
Expected opening: Late 2025 or early 2026
Full line testing scheduled for summer 2025
Original completion date (March 2023) delayed due to pandemic
Coverage
Spans 7 cities across 3 counties
Connects Plano with DFW International Airport
Key Infrastructure
New 40,000 sq ft maintenance facility in Plano
Will employ 65 staff
$30 million in construction cost savings through Plano partnership
DART Silver Line Project Update: Current Status
Train testing underway on Richardson-to-Plano segment
Next phase: Testing Terminal B (DFW) to Downtown Carrollton
Hillcrest Road construction completing January 2025
System Context
Part of DART network serving 220,000 daily passengers
Network covers 93 miles, second-largest light rail system in U.S.
Read also: Construction of America’s first high-speed-train factory
