WASHINGTON - Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Texas' senior senator, today announced that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will award $9 million to Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) for the purchase of eight new center section cars to provide level boarding on the Red Line.

"The Red Line is a critical part of Dallas' transportation system, and this additional funding will help make the line accessible to even more people," Sen. Hutchison said. "FTA is providing funding above and beyond what was already secured this year because DART is such an exemplary system."

In July 2006, Sen. Hutchison helped obtain a $700 million Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) between DART and the FTA for the Green Line. The first $80 million installment of that funding was provided this year. This additional $9 million in funding for the Red Line is provided through a discretionary funding source for transit projects. DART has consistently come in ahead of schedule and under budget in impact studies and other progress markers.

WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. John Cornyn announced on Wednesday that the Dallas North Central light rail will receive a $9 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) allowing them to expand services. The additional funding will be used to acquire eight center section cars to provide level boarding for the light rail vehicles of the North Central light rail extension.

"Improving transportation services and infrastructure is an important part of economic growth and safety for a community," Sen. Cornyn said. "Creating the conditions necessary for growth will help the local economy, attract new visitors and business, and provide new opportunities. This additional transportation funding helps achieve that goal."

"I spoke with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters this morning and thanked DOT for recognizing the importance of providing this grant to Dallas. Congress appropriates these funds to DOT so they can be used for important projects such as this. This is good news for the city and I look forward to seeing continued improvements to the Dallas light rail system," Sen. Cornyn said.

The funding comes through an FY 2007 appropriation bill approved by Congress earlier this year. DOT made the allocation on a discretionary basis to complete the light rail project.

Sen. Cornyn serves on the Armed Services, Judiciary and Budget Committees. In addition, he is Vice Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference and the Senate Select Committee on Ethics. He serves as the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee's Immigration, Border Security and Refugees subcommittee and the Armed Services Committee's Airland subcommittee. He served previously as Texas Attorney General, Texas Supreme Court Justice, and Bexar County District Judge.