The Federal Transit Administration awarded a Letter of No Prejudice to the Fort Worth Transportation Authority, known as The T, for TEX Rail on June 28. This means that construction can start next month.

The letter authorizes The T to use local fund it has in reserves—which is almost 50 percent of the total amount of funding—to proceed with procurement of all materials and construction activities planned for the first six months.

"We are delighted to receive the Letter of No Prejudice," said Paul Ballard, president and CEO of The T. "We can now secure the prime contract and all subcontracts while locking in current pricing. This has been a long journey and we can't wait to get started on construction next month."

Construction on the rail line as well as all nine stations will begin simultaneously when construction begins next month.

The entity has yet to receive federal funds for the project, but Bob Baulsir, vice president of railroads and procurement, said he expects the Full Funding Grant Agreement will arrive in November.

TEX Rail, a 27-mile commuter rail, will extend from downtown Fort Worth through Grapevine and into Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport's Terminal B. The commuter rail line is expected to see its first passengers in late 2018.