Blue Line Rail contract approved for extension from Garland to Rowlett

by PegNews wire

ROWLETT — Dirt will soon begin to fly in Rowlett on the Blue Line extension of the DART light rail line from downtown Garland to downtown Rowlett following action taken yesterday by the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Board of Directors.

Mayor John Harper, Councilman Patrick Jackson, City Manager Lynda Humble, Assistant City Manager Katie Corder and several other staff members attended the DART Board Meeting-As-AWhole to extend thanks to DART for their commitment to the City of Rowlett to make this project a reality.

Mayor Harper spoke to the board members saying, “Chairman Chrisman, DART Board members, DART staff… I remember speaking with you about one year ago. At that time there was serious concern that the project to extend the DART Blue Line to the City of Rowlett would yet again be delayed. I remember the anxiety and confusion and disappointment that caused, but we all worked together and found a solution!”

Following the Mayor’s comments, former Rowlett Mayor and now current DART Board member, Mark Enoch made a motion to approve a contract with Austin Bridge & Road for the 4.5-mile extension from downtown Garland station to Rowlett, which was then unanimously approved by the DART board.

Funding for the $188 million project, which is scheduled for completion in December 2012, is included in DART’s 20-year Financial Plan. A ceremonial groundbreaking will be held in mid-March in downtown Rowlett. Already, stacks of rail have been placed in the construction area north of Main Street in anticipation of the start of construction.

Mayor Harper was also quoted in the January 27 issue of the DART Board Chairman’s Report stating that this project will help transform downtown Rowlett.

“The official approval of the Blue Line is precisely the economic engine we need to foster the kind of development that will mark downtown as an attractive destination for living, working and playing in Rowlett,” he said.

City Manager Lynda Humble was officially introduced to the DART Board during the afternoon meeting, which led one of the board members to humorously state that she should be commended for getting this project approved during her first two weeks on the job.

“This is a great day for the City of Rowlett,” said Humble. “I sincerely commend the Mayor, Council and staff members who have worked so diligently on this project with DART for so many years. Because of their foresight, Rowlett is now poised to attract exciting development along the rail line to the downtown area, truly making Rowlett a choice destination location.”

Details about the groundbreaking ceremony will be forthcoming. To read the Chairman’s report for January 27, 2009, please click here.

Source: City of Rowlett