Rail Stations
|
| |
Where will stations for this rail line be located?
|
| |
The Alternatives Analysis recommended at least five regional rail stations on the system: downtown Denton, south Denton, north Lewisville, downtown Lewisville, and south Lewisville, with a connection to the DART light rail station at Belt Line in Carrollton. The exact locations of these stations will be explored during this phase of the project, with extensive public involvement (see above for ways you can participate).
|
| |
Will there be Park-and-Ride lots at train stations?
|
| |
Each potential regional rail station is forecast to have some parking, with the number of spaces to be determined by additional ridership forecasting during this phase.
|
| |
What will the stations look like?
|
| |
No specific designs have yet been established for the stations, but each will include basic passenger amenities such as a boarding platform and passenger protection such as a canopy and windscreens, access for the physically challenged, passenger information and ticketing, walkways and bicycle connections and facilities, bus drop-off areas, auto drop-off areas, and auto parking. The designs will be explored during this phase of the project.
|
| |
How will local economic development and land use plans be incorporated into station planning?
|
| |
DCTA will work closely with each jurisdiction in the taxing district to integrate station plans into local land use, economic development, and comprehensive plans.
|
| |
Will public art be a part of station design?
|
| |
There is potential for public art to be incorporated into the station design; the specifics of each station’s art will be discussed with local jurisdictions as station plans are developed.
Back to Top
|
General
|
| |
What route or alignment will the train use?
|
| |
The regional rail line generally lies east of I-35E, and uses the existing right-of-way (ROW) of the former Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT) Railroad line, part of which is in interim use as the Denton Branch Rail Trail. The trail will be retained and enhanced within the rail right-of-way. This route was selected because it:
- Is the most cost-effective in terms of expected costs per user;
- Lies within ROW already in public ownership;
- Provides better access to major activity centers than other alternatives considered;
- Is supported by the three municipalities that contribute sales tax support to the DCTA;
- Has greater potential for providing “interlined” service with the Dallas Area Rapid Transit light rail system; and
- Is considered to have fewer environmental impacts than other alternatives considered.
|
| |
When will people be able to use this regional rail service?
|
| |
The DCTA Service Plan calls for passenger rail service to be opened approximately the same time as DART light rail service to Carrollton, currently scheduled to begin in late 2010.
|
| |
When will construction begin?
|
| |
Construction is expected to begin in early 2009.
|
| |
What kind of train will this be? What will it look like?
|
| |
The DCTA will be introducing Light Rail New Technology vehicles for this passenger service. These innovative vehicles will be capable of operating on non-electrified tracks with clean diesel engines. Additionally, this technology will allow the DCTA – in the future – in cooperation with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) – to travel into Dallas on DART’s system offering improved travel options for passengers. Other rail corridors included in the region’s planned rail network could benefit as well from this innovative vehicle technology.
|
| |
How many trains a day will be traveling both north and south on the rail line?
|
| |
Current assumptions for the year 2030 call for a maximum of one train every 20 minutes in each direction during rush hours, with one train per hour in each direction in non-rush hours.
|
| |
Is the proposed rail line following the jogging / bicycle trail through the eastern portions of Corinth?
|
| |
The LPA is the former MKT line. Referring to the Denton Branch Rail Trail - this trail will share the corridor with the rail line. The rail corridor was purchased several years ago for interim use as a trail. The trail will be moved to the east. Specific design decisions about the trail currently are being considered.
|
| |
How much will it cost to ride the train?
|
| |
No decisions have been made on fare levels yet. DCTA hopes to work with other transit agencies in the region (such as Dallas Area Rapid Transit and the Fort Worth Transportation Authority) to establish a seamless, consistent fare structure.
|
| |
How will this affect my property values if my residence or business is adjacent to the rail line?
|
| |
Studies from around the country show that property values are usually enhanced by their proximity to a passenger rail station. Studies have shown that property values are usually not affected by their proximity to passenger rail lines.
|
| |
Will my taxes go up to pay for this service?
|
| |
No – voters in Denton, Highland Village, and Lewisville have already voted to tax themselves to finance DCTA. If other jurisdictions choose to join DCTA at a later date, they will need to conform to the DCTA’s policies for becoming a member city.
|
| |
Why transportation improvements are needed in the Denton-Dallas corridor?
|
| |
The local area is growing faster than the existing and planned transportation system can handle. For example, population in Denton County is forecast to increase by 154% between now and 2030, growing from under 500,000 today to almost 1.1 million in the next 25 years. Employment in Denton County is forecast to grow even faster (by 171%). Major improvements are already slated for I-35E, the primary travel corridor between Denton and Dallas. But even with those improvements (including adding general lanes all the way to Denton and adding HOV lanes from Carrollton to north Lewisville), traffic congestion is forecast to be at breakdown levels during rush hours by the year 2025. The DCTA AA examined the costs and benefits of all transportation alternatives in the corridor, including a rail option.
|
| |
What is DCTA’s relationship to DART? Is DCTA part of DART?
|
| |
DCTA is a separate transportation authority with its own funding source and legislative authority. It has no legal relationship to DART or other regional transportation agencies. However, DCTA works closely with those agencies to provide a transportation system that is as seamless and interactive as possible for area citizens.
|
| |
What cities are participating in this project?
|
| |
Denton, Highland Village and Lewisville are DCTA’s only current member cities. All cities along the recommended Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) – Denton, Corinth, Shady Shores, Lake Dallas, Highland Village, Hickory Creek, Lewisville, and Carrollton – however, were involved in the environmental review phase, and are involved in design discussions taking place currently. Access to rail service via stations is planned only for those cities that are members of the DCTA (Denton, Lewisville, and Highland Village).
|
| |
How will safety be assured for pedestrians who currently use the bicycle path and rail corridor (including school children), and motorists traveling on streets that intersect with the rail line?
|
| |
The RailDCTA system will be built and operated with public safety as its highest priority, both for passengers and for people living near the rail line. The bicycle/pedestrian trail to be rebuilt in the corridor will be designed to prevent incursions into the track through the use of berms, landscaping, fencing, or other measures used in similar rail/trail projects around the country. Motorist safety at roadway-rail crossings will be ensured through the use of appropriate safety devices, which could include gates, median barriers, and other means to prevent auto incursion onto the track. Education about rail crossings will take place in communities along the corridor to make sure people are aware of their role in safety near rail facilities.
|
