Green Line opens ahead of schedule in Dallas

The Dallas Area Rapid Transit's Green Line opens today; finishing six months ahead of schedule and under budget due to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. "Dart continues to demonstrate visionary leadership for transit, delivering the project ahead of schedule and under budget," said Administrator Rogoff who attended the opening. The Federal Transit Administration agreed to give $700 million over a seven-year period for the Green Line project. Currently, DART has received $435 million from the federal government, which includes a $78 million payment that was made ahead of schedule. DART finished this project early and the Recovery Act gave them the resources they needed to bring it in under budget," said Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. "The Green Line will increase access to the downtown business district, provide an alternative to driving on congested roadways and give a boost to the economy." The 24-mile northwest-southeast extension to the city's light rail system includes16 new stations, 10 park-and-ride lots and 18 new high-capacity light rail vehicles. Additionally, 38 DART light rail vehicles were redesigned to boost passenger capacity. The new line is expected to generate nearly 30,000 daily trips after one year in operation.