In June the Fort Worth Transportation Authority, known as the T, received permission from the Federal Transit Administration to begin construction in July on TEX Rail despite the project not being fully funded. The rail project, which will run along the existing Cotton Belt Railroad line will cost $1.034 billion to construct and $11 million per year to operate and maintain, according to The T. At the time construction started there was about $500 million in local funding secured. However, the 27-mile commuter rail project is now fully funded as The T and the FTA signed a $499.39 million Full Funding Grant Agreement on Dec. 15 completing the local and federal funding for the  billion commuter rail project. "Signing the Full Funding Grant Agreement signifies success for everyone who has worked diligently over the years to make TEX Rail a reality," The T President and CEO Paul Ballard said. "I am grateful to the FTA for their support of this project, and especially to FTA acting Administrator Carolyn Flowers for joining us on this momentous occasion." A majority of the project's local funding comes from Fort Worth and Grapevine sales tax revenue. The city of Grapevine has contributed more than $70 million in sales tax revenue since residents approved a 3/8 cent sales tax to fund the commuter rail line in November 2006. The rail line will extend from downtown Fort Worth, through Colleyville and Grapevine, and into Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport's Terminal B. Grapevine's station will be at the northeast corner of Main Street and Dallas Road. TEX Rail is expected to begin servicing passengers late 2018.