Downtown Dallas Transit Study

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ISSUE 1, FALL 2007

Downtown Dallas Transit Study

Dallas CBD Alternative Analysis/Draft Environmental Impact Statement (AA/DEIS)





DART has launched a comprehensive two-year Downtown Dallas Transit Study, known as the D2 Study, that will identify and evaluate a range of transit improvements in the CBD. The study started in early May with a series of meetings to gather public input.

The D2 Study is about identifying the second phase of major transit improvements in Downtown Dallas, which may include a second light rail transit (LRT) alignment, a modern streetcar, and bus improvements. The recommended improvements will ensure high quality transit service as the DART system expands to meet growing need. Most importantly, it is about improving mobility and circulation to, through and within the CBD, serving local and regional transit needs, and enhancing Downtown Dallas' ability to grow and thrive.

Because federal funding may be sought for study recommendations, the D2 Study is being conducted consistent with the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) project development and New Starts Alternatives Analysis (AA) process, and includes preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Analysis (DEIS). The DEIS is a report that includes a detailed analysis of the social, environmental, and economic impacts of alternatives.

Study Background
The existing Bryan/Pacific Transit Mall is nearing capacity. A second alignment was first considered in 1990, and led to an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Dallas and DART that requires DART to supplement the current transit mall when specified operating and/or ridership measures are met. These measures will be met soon after year 2010, when the future DART Green Line (in construction) and Orange Line (in design) open for service to supplement the existing Red and Blue Lines. With four LRT lines in operation, there will not be capacity to accommodate additional LRT lines identified in the DART 2030 Transit System Plan. In addition to new rail lines, regional rail service connections and more transit-oriented land use may increase rail ridership, necessitating additional service that would also not be accommodated on the single mall.

The D2 Study will identify and consider a range of alternatives, including LRT, streetcar and bus solutions, culminating with a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA). It will assess the environmental impacts of the identified alternatives (e.g., air quality, noise and vibration, socioeconomic, land use, construction, etc.) as well as costs, ridership, operations, and transportation consequences. A funding and financing plan will also be developed.

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