The council is slated to consider approving federal funds for the project as part of the mediation plan between Dallas Area Rapid Transit and the city of Dallas. The agenda also includes items related to funding for the Collin County Rides program and consideration of the Unified Planning Work program for 2024 and 2025.
The transportation policy body of the North Central Texas Council of Governments will meet at 1 p.m. July 13 at 616 Six Flags Drive, Arlington. The agenda can be viewed online.
In a nutshell
Staff from the council of governments are requesting approval of $5.3 million in federal funding for the Silver Line project, according to the agenda. Approval of the funds would serve as the final component of the mediation plan between DART and Dallas.
The action will come after Dallas City Council approved a new agreement with DART to receive about $90 million in excess sales tax revenue during its June 14 meeting.
Originally, DART had promised Dallas more than $111 million in excess funds but lowered the amount to less than $30 million in February. The council of governments mediated a deal between DART and the city that bumped Dallas’ allocation up to $90 million.
If approved by the transportation council, the $5.3 million would be used for enhancements along the silver line trail in Dallas. The mediation agreement also includes $15.4 million in federal funds, previously approved by the transportation council in June, for Dallas’ Five Mile Creek Hike and Bike Trail.
The background
The Silver Line is a 26-mile rail running between Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and Shiloh Road in Plano, according to DART’s website. Once completed, the rail will serve Plano, Richardson, Dallas, Addison, Carrollton, Coppell and Grapevine.
Rail construction is underway and expected to be completed by 2026.
Also on the agenda
The transportation council will also consider approving the use of up to $1.8 million to support the transition of transit services for seniors and people with disabilities from DART to the Denton County Transportation Authority, according to the agenda.
DART’s contract for providing transit services as the Collin County Rides program will expire Sept. 30. The program provides transit services for residents of Allen, Fairview and Wylie, who can use the program to travel in Collin County.
If approved, the funds will be used to transition services for Allen and Fairview residents to the Denton County Transportation Authority without an interruption in services.
Wylie is reviewing other options, and staff may seek further action by the transportation council if the city requests funding support, according to the agenda.
