Archives > Rowlett Lakeshore Times > News
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Construction to begin on DART extension to Rowlett
DALLAS AREA RAPID TRANSIT/SUBMITTED PHOTO
To prepare for the light rail project, DART has placed track for the new rail in a staging area just north of Main Street.
By Ann Marie Shambaugh, Staff Writer
It’s been 25 years since Rowlett joined Dallas Area Rapid Transit as an original member city, and the first pieces of light rail tracks have finally rolled into town.
Construction on the 4.5-mile extension of the blue line from downtown Garland to downtown Rowlett is expected to begin in February after the DART board of directors unanimously awarded the project Tuesday to Austin Bridge & Road for $188 million.
Several officials from Rowlett attended the meeting to express their support and thanks for the project. Mayor John Harper said Thursday that a year ago, no one knew if the project would ever happen.
Construction was expected to begin on the Rowlett extension as early as 1997, Harper said, but economic troubles and other factors caused the project to be delayed.
Rowlett residents have funded DART through sales taxes since 1984. The city has sent $50 million to the organization since that time, Harper said, which equals $100 million in today’s dollars.
As other cities designated sales tax funds for economic development, Rowlett continued sending money to DART. Harper said he expects the city’s economic development to boom once the light rail runs through town.
“Retailers and commercial (developers) want to be associated with the light rail station, so that’s going to cause our Main Street to become well-developed quickly,” Harper said.
The light rail extension combined with the eastern extension of the President George Bush Turnpike is expected to generate about $19 billion in Rowlett over the next 20 years, the mayor said.
About 70 percent of Rowlett’s workers do not work in their hometown, and the DART line is expected to provide a more environmentally friendly way for many of them to get to work. The line will also eventually provide connections to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field.
The DART expansion to downtown Rowlett is expected to be complete in 2012. The city will hold a groundbreaking ceremony in late February or early March. Harper said he invited all DART board members to attend, and he expects a good turnout from Rowlett residents eager to express their support.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
ivan wrote on Jan 30, 2009 5:29 PM:
" More like 19 Billion commuters. Thats all this city is, one giant commuter toilet! "
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: News «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
