 the offical newsletter of DALLAS AREA RAPID TRANSIT - Spring 2009 |
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Orange Juice
DART stands to get $61.5 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 signed by President Obama on February 17. The agency will receive $61.2 million in formula funds, $60.6 million of which will fund portions of the design and construction of the Orange Line through Irving. The remaining $612,000 will fund enhancements at the Glenn Heights Park & Ride and at some existing rail stations and stations on the northernmost section of the Green Line. DART also will receive more than $300,000 in Fixed Guideway Modernization funds to apply to the purchase of mobile radios for light rail vehicles. Applications for the funds have been filed with the Federal Transit Administration.TRE Takes the High Road
Trinity Railway Express commuter trains are traveling more safely and quietly through the heart of Irving thanks to a new 8,236-foot bridge. Opened in March, the bridge eliminated railroad crossings at busy Belt Line, Briery and Story Roads and creates quiet zone operations at Irby Lane, Rogers Road and MacArthur Road. A duplicate bridge to be completed by December 2010 will create a double-track corridor between West Irving Station and Rogers Road.TTA Honors Thomas
DART President/Executive Director Gary Thomas was named the 2009 Outstanding Public Transportation General Manager by the Texas Transit Association. Thomas was recognized for leading DART to secure a $700 million Full Funding Grant Agreement, one of the nation's largest, from the Federal Transit Administration; for beginning construction on the Green Line rail expansion that will lead to a doubling of the current DART rail system; and for overseeing one of the most aggressive light-rail expansion programs in North America. Thomas, who has led DART since 2001, also oversaw record-breaking growth in ridership of more than 116.8 million trips during FY 2008.
Recognizing Excellence
A variety of organizations recognized DART in 2008 for excellence in leadership, business opportunity, project management and communications.
North Texas nonprofit M Company recognized DART for 20 years of outstanding achievement in workforce diversity and economic development in the diverse communities it serves.
The Construction Owners Association of America honored DART's CBD level boarding project team with a Project Leadership Award for design, scheduling, cost management, quality control, user/customer satisfaction and team effort as they raised the platforms at four downtown stations while maintaining rail service.The Transportation Research Board of the National Academies of Science recognized DART's high occupancy vehicle lane team for outstanding achievement in project planning and development.
DART's Marketing and Communications Team was honored for excellence in external communications through publications and web sites by the Southern Region of the International Association of Business Communicators, the Texas Public Relations Association, the Association for Women in Communications, the Transportation Marketing & Communications Association and the Southwest Transit Association.
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