Media Relations Contact:
Morgan Lyons
Mark A. Ball

February 23, 2010

Service to DFW Airport not affected

First segments of DART Rail Orange Line likely delayed

Utility relocations associated with Texas Department of Transportation construction on portions of State Highway 114 will likely delay the opening of the first two segments of the DART Rail Orange Line, DART officials said.

DART and TxDOT staffs continue working to shorten the length of the delay; so new opening dates have not been finalized. However, based the current project status the first segment of the Orange Line - from Bachman Station to Las Colinas - would open in August 2012 instead of December 2011.

"We were very disappointed to officially receive the news from TX DOT about their project delays earlier this month," DART President/Executive Director Gary Thomas said. "We have been monitoring their progress and meeting with them regularly for updates and to offer our assistance where it was appropriate. Now we'll turn our attention to supporting their efforts to reach their new targets which will allow us the access we need to complete our work."

Sections of State Highway 114 will be adjacent to the Orange Line. DART has to have access to portions of the construction area where the rail line and highway will intersect. There are two construction windows to allow DART to complete that work. Since one of those windows will not be met as anticipated DART will have to delay construction and the planned opening of the Orange Line.

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