1. Methodist Richardson continues $46M expansion effort
Richardson and its surrounding cities are growing, and the regional hospital that serves those communities is expanding alongside them.
At the end of June, Methodist Richardson Medical Center will wrap up the first phase of a $46 million expansion effort aimed at increasing the capacity of its emergency department.
Marking the third major expansion to the hospital since it opened in 2014, Methodist Richardson broke ground on the project last August with the ultimate goal of increasing the number of beds in its emergency department from 26 to 43.
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2. North Texas leaders, organizations call for improvements to Hwy. 183
Leaders across North Texas are calling for improvements to a section of Hwy. 183, which runs along the south end of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
This stretch of road is known to be one of the busiest in Texas, ranking on the top 100 list of Texas’ most congested roadways list compiled by Texas A&M Transportation Institute in 2022.
According to a press release, the North Texas Commission, other business organizations, chambers of commerce, elected officials, community leaders, transportation planners and the DFW Airport are asking for needed capacity improvements to the highway following the recent announcement of the airport’s expansion.
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3. Dallas Area Rapid Transit to upgrade bus fleet with $103M grant
Dallas Area Rapid Transit is set to eventually have a fleet of more environmentally friendly buses hitting the streets of North Texas.
With the help of a $103 million Federal Transit Administration grant, which was made possible by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, DART will begin to “modernize” its bus fleet with low- and no-emission vehicles.
“Because of our rapid growth, we need investments to bolster our local infrastructure and create more options for Texans to get where they need to go,” said U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, who signed a letter of support to the FTA for the grant, in a news release.
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4. Texas Health Plano adding $3.9 million NICU family center expansion
Private rooms, a laundry facility, sinks for bathing infants and several other amenities are all part of a $3.9 million expansion that will aim to make Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano more comfortable for its smallest patients.
Construction began May 18 on the hospital’s new family center for its neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU. The project will add seven private rooms for NICU patients and families, including one for twins and one for triplets. The family center will also include a welcome lounge with a coffee bar.
Texas Health Plano has the only Level IV NICU in Collin or Denton counties, meaning more families will see extended stays at the hospital.
Read more.
5. Dallas transit services to modify operation schedules July 4
Dallas Area Rapid Transit services will operate on a modified schedule July 4.
Schedule modifications are listed below:
- DART bus and light rail services will operate on a weekend schedule.
- The Trinity Railway Express will not operate.
- DART GoLink services will be available regular hours in all zones except the Inland Port Connect Zone.
- DART Paratransit will operate on a Sunday schedule, and the Paratransit Scheduling Center will be closed. Customers can schedule, view and cancel trips 24/7 at www.DART.org/paratransit or can call Paratransit Services at 214-515-7272 through June 30 to schedule trips through July 5.
