Orange Line (DART)#Deferred

For publicity purposes, DART light rail is divided into eight corridors,{{Cite web |title=DART Facts |url=https://www.dart.org/about/about-dart/about-dart/dart-facts |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=Dallas Area Rapid Transit |language=en}} of which the Orange Line serves four.{{Cite web |title=Irving/DFW Corridor: Bachman to DFW Airport Station |url=https://dartorgcmsblob.dart.org/prod/docs/default-source/dart-facts/dartirvingdfwfactsheet.pdf |website=Dallas Area Rapid Transit}}{{Cite web |title=Northwest Corridor: Downtown Dallas to North Carrollton/Frankford Station |url=https://dartorgcmsblob.dart.org/prod/docs/default-source/dart-facts/dartnorthwestfactsheet.pdf |website=Dallas Area Rapid Transit}}{{Cite web |title=Downtown Dallas Central Business District: Convention Center to Pearl Station |url=https://dartorgcmsblob.dart.org/prod/docs/default-source/dart-facts/dartdowntowndallascbdfactsheet.pdf |website=Dallas Area Rapid Transit}}{{Cite web |title=North Central Corridor: Downtown Dallas to Parker Road Station |url=https://dartorgcmsblob.dart.org/prod/docs/default-source/dart-facts/dartnorthcentralfactsheet.pdf |website=Dallas Area Rapid Transit}}

On average, an end-to-end trip on the line will take 76 minutes (if the eastern terminus is LBJ/Central) or 92 minutes (if the eastern terminus is Parker Road).{{Cite web |date=2021-04-12 |title=Travel Times |url=https://dartorgcmsblob.dart.org/prod/docs/default-source/schedules/rail/traveltimes12apr21.pdf |website=Dallas Area Rapid Transit |page=2}}

The Irving/DFW Corridor, which has a length of {{Convert|14|mi|km|adj=off}}, is the only portion of the Orange Line that is not shared with other DART light rail lines.

The line's western terminus is DFW Airport Terminal A, located inside Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.{{cite web |title=DFW Airport Station |url=https://www.dart.org/guide/transit-and-use/rail/rail-station-detail/dfw-airport-station |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=Dallas Area Rapid Transit}} The line exits the airport through the north and proceeds southeast through Irving's Las Colinas neighborhood, passing Dallas College North Lake and Irving Convention Center.

The line curves around Lake Carolyn before traveling south to John Carpenter Freeway (SH 114). Turning east, it parallels SH 114, passing the University of Dallas. At the former site of Texas Stadium, the line sharply redirects northeast, paralleling Storey Lane (Spur 482) and crossing the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. Upon reaching Northwest Highway (Loop 12), it curves southeast and merges with the Green Line, where it proceeds to Bachman station.

File:DART Orange Line, Parker Road bound crossing Lucas Drive.jpg]]

Alongside the Green Line, the Orange Line travels southeast along Denton Drive, passing Dallas Love Field (which is serviced through a shuttle at Inwood/Love Field station). When Denton Drive ends, the lines continue south through the Southwestern Medical District to Harry Hines Boulevard. They briefly follow Harry Hines to Interstate 35E, where they turn to follows I-35E to Downtown Dallas.

Alongside the Green Line, the Orange Line enters Downtown Dallas at Victory Park. After stopping at American Airlines Center, the Orange Line turns east onto Pacific Avenue, which it shares with all other DART lines. It follows Pacific Avenue, and later Bryan Street, to the east side of downtown.

Along with the {{DART R}} and {{DART B}}, the Orange Line turns north into a subway tunnel paralleling North Central Expressway (US 75). After passing the underground Cityplace/Uptown station, the subway tunnel ends at Mockingbird Lane. Above ground, the Orange Line and Red Line continue to parallel US 75 until the corridor's terminus at Parker Road station.

During non-peak hours, the line terminates at LBJ/Central station, just south of Interstate 635. A pocket track north of I-635 is used to move trains from eastbound to westbound service.

When individual trains are entering or exiting service, special termini near DART's two rail yards are used. Trains entering or leaving the Northwest Rail Operating Facility terminate at Bachman station, which is directly south of the yard. Trains entering or leaving the Central Rail Operating Facility will divert from Pearl/Arts District to the southern {{DART G}}, stopping at Deep Ellum and Baylor University Medical Center before terminating at Fair Park.{{cite web |title=Orange Line Weekday/Entre Semana To Parker Road Station |url=https://dartorgcmsblob.dart.org/prod/docs/default-source/schedules/w603no.pdf |publisher=Dallas Area Rapid Transit |date=2022-01-24}}{{cite web |title=Orange Line Weekday/Entre Semana To DFW Airport Station |url=https://dartorgcmsblob.dart.org/prod/docs/default-source/schedules/w603so.pdf |publisher=Dallas Area Rapid Transit |date=2022-01-24}}

File:Dart orange line construction irving station 2009-08-18.jpg]]

Light rail transit in the Las Colinas area was first studied in 2000 as part of DART's Northwest Corridor study. The study proposed two lines, which evolved into the northern and western segments of the modern-day Green Line and Orange Line, respectively.{{cite archive |item=Final Report Major Investment Study for the DART Northwest Corridor |item-url=https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1148413/ |type=report |year=2000 |publisher=Dallas Area Rapid Transit |access-date=2024-02-01 |pages=189 |collection=DART Historical Archive |repository=The Portal to Texas History |institution=University of North Texas}} In 2006, the two lines (with their current colors) were incorporated into DART's 2030 Transit System Plan, with revenue service to D/FW Airport expected in 2013.{{cite web |title=2030 Transit System Plan |url=http://www.dart.org/2030plan/DART2030PlanJan2007.pdf |publisher=Dallas Area Rapid Transit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325121244/http://www.dart.org/2030plan/DART2030PlanJan2007.pdf |archive-date=2009-03-25 |pages=66 |year=2006}}

While the original plan accepted by the Federal Transit Administration had the line travel west of Dallas Love Field, the City of Dallas wanted DART to consider realigning it to tunnel under the airport to facilitate a direct airport link.{{Cite web |title=Rail News - DART Green Line will not include Dallas Love Field tunnel. For Railroad Career Professionals |url=https://www.progressiverailroading.com/rail_industry_trends/news/DART-Green-Line-will-not-include-Dallas-Love-Field-tunnel--12990 |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=Progressive Railroading |language=en}} However, on March 12, 2007, officials from both parties agreed to make Love Field Station a surface-level facility, concluding a long debate over whether or not to make it an underground station closer to the airport.{{Cite web |title=Dallas, DART Agree to Drop Love Field Tunnel |url=https://www.dart.org/about/news-and-events/newsreleases/newsrelease-detail/dallas--dart-agree-to-drop-love-field-tunnel-742 |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=www.dart.org |language=en}} That ultimately led to the retention of the original FTA-approved plan.

On December 5, 2007, the Dallas Morning News ran a story reporting that DART President Gary Thomas said a previous cost estimate of $988 million was too low. The new cost estimate for the 14-mile project was $1.8 – $1.9 billion, he said.{{Cite web| url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/120507dnmetdart.18cd6b.htm| title=A new cost estimate| website=Dallas Morning News}}{{dead link|date=August 2021}} The $900 million overrun in costs caused considerable outrage among political leaders{{Cite web| url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/120807dnmetirvdevelop.226610b.html| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210201520/http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/120807dnmetirvdevelop.226610b.html| archive-date=December 10, 2007| title=Irving leaders to press DART on Orange Line delays| date=December 8, 2007| first=Brandon| last=Formby| website=Dallas Morning News}} in Irving, Texas, the city the line runs through on its way to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. The Irving leaders conducted an inquiry into the cost overruns.{{Cite web| url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/121307dnmetIrving.c724414.html| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080929130300/http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/121307dnmetIrving.c724414.html| archive-date=September 29, 2008| title=Irving leaders scold DART for soaring cost on rail project| date=December 12, 2007| first=Brandon| last=Formby| website=Dallas Morning News}} Texas State Representative Linda Harper Brown sent an official letter to Mr. Thomas also inquiring about the project's cost overruns.{{Cite web| url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/12-07/1212dart.pdf| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411133403/http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/12-07/1212dart.pdf| archive-date=April 11, 2008| title=Letter from Rep. Linda Harper-Brown to Mr. Gary Thomas| date=December 11, 2007| website=Dallas Morning News}}

In February 2010, DART officials warned that the first two phases of the Orange Line might be delayed due to TXDOT problems along State Highway 114, which the Orange Line route follows. Utility relocation and road construction was expected to delay access to portions of the construction area where the rail line and highway intersect. DART estimated that the delay could push the opening of the Las Colinas extension from December 2011 to August 2012; however, DART also advised that it was determined to keep the original schedule and minimize any delays.{{Cite web| url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/DN-dartside_24met.ART.State.Edition2.4bab989.html| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100227203341/http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/DN-dartside_24met.ART.State.Edition2.4bab989.html| archive-date=February 27, 2010| title=Irving light-rail segments may be delayed| website=The Dallas Morning News| date=February 24, 2010| first1=Michael A.| last1=Lindenberger| first2=Brandon| last2=Formby}}{{Cite press release| url=https://www.dart.org/news/news.asp?ID=898| website=DART.org| title=First segments of DART Rail Orange Line likely delayed| date=February 23, 2010}}

In June 2010, DART placed new Orange Line construction on indefinite hold due to declining revenue. However, on September 15, 2010, the agency said that due to cost savings and federal funds, the plans for the line have been revived.{{cite web| title=DART finance committee OKs service changes, new debt in $1.26 billion budget| url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/091510dnmetdartbudget.f1c2685f.html| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019130558/http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/dallas/headlines/20100914-DART-finance-committee-OKs-service-changes-5631.ece| archive-date=October 19, 2012| access-date=September 15, 2010| date=September 15, 2010| first=Michael A.| last=Lindenberger}}

On December 13, 2011, DART awarded a contract to design and build the Orange Line extension from Belt Line Road to DFW Airport, valued at about $150 million, with construction to start in early 2012 and an opening date of August 18, 2014, ahead of schedule.{{cite web| title=DART awards design-build contract for DFW Airport connection| url=http://www.progressiverailroading.com/passenger_rail/article/DART-awards-designbuild-contract-for-DFW-Airport-connection--29211| website=Progressive Railroading| access-date=December 16, 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509215921/http://www.progressiverailroading.com/passenger_rail/article/DART-awards-designbuild-contract-for-DFW-Airport-connection--29211| archive-date=May 9, 2012| date=December 15, 2011| url-status=dead}}

The Orange Line started operation on December 6, 2010, with weekday peak service from the Parker Road station to Bachman station on stations shared with DART's Red and Green lines. The first Orange Line-exclusive stations opened with the extension to Irving Convention Center on July 30, 2012,{{cite web| first=Brandon| last=Formby| url=http://transportationblog.dallasnews.com/2012/07/irvings-orange-line-ushers-in-new-era-in-north-texas-mass-transit.html/| title=Irving's Orange Line ushers in new era in North Texas mass transit | | Dallas Morning News| website=Transportationblog.dallasnews.com| date=2012-07-30| access-date=2016-06-24| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103184925/http://transportationblog.dallasnews.com/2012/07/irvings-orange-line-ushers-in-new-era-in-north-texas-mass-transit.html/| archive-date=November 3, 2012| url-status=dead}} and two more were added on December 3, 2012.{{cite web| url=http://www.dallasnews.com/news/transportation/20121203-dart-blue-line-launches-long-awaited-rail-service-in-rowlett.ece| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921060520/http://www.dallasnews.com/news/transportation/20121203-dart-blue-line-launches-long-awaited-rail-service-in-rowlett.ece| archive-date=September 21, 2013| title=Big day for DART as routes are extended to Rowlett, D/FW Airport| first=Ray| last=Leszcynski| date=December 4, 2012| website=Dallas Morning News| access-date=2016-06-24}} The current northwestern terminus, located at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, opened on August 18, 2014. Hidden Ridge Station, which was planned with the rest of the Orange Line but deferred until further development justified its construction, opened to revenue service on April 12, 2021.{{Cite press release| url=https://dart.org/news/news.asp?ID=1578| website=DART.org| title=DART Celebrates Opening of Hidden Ridge Station in Irving| date=April 9, 2021| access-date=2021-04-25}}

When the extension to the airport was created, the western terminus of the proposed Cotton Belt Corridor (now the Silver Line) was DFW Airport North. To enable transfers to the airport, a secondary extension would add DFW Airport North to the Orange Line between DFW Airport Terminal A and Belt Line. However, by the time the Corridor was approved in 2018, expansions to SH-114 and SH-121 rendered this extension infeasible. Instead, the Silver Line was extended south to DFW Airport Terminal B by sharing tracks with TEXRail.{{Cite web |last1=U.S. Department of Transportation |author-link=United States Department of Transportation |last2=Federal Transit Administration |author-link2=Federal Transit Administration |last3=Dallas Area Rapid Transit |author-link3=Dallas Area Rapid Transit |last4=Federal Aviation Administration |author-link4=Federal Aviation Administration |date=2018-11-09 |title=Cotton Belt Corridor Regional Rail Project: Final Environmental Impact Statement/Record of Decision |url=https://www.dart.org/docs/default-source/silverline/feis-docs/cottonbeltfeisandrod.pdf |page=2-32}}

The D2 Subway project would reroute the line's Downtown Dallas segment into a new subway tunnel between Victory and Deep Ellum with four new underground stations. The project was originally set for completion in 2028 but is currently on hiatus.

:Listed from Northeast to Northwest. Peak-hour only service is highlighted.

:Listed from East to West

• Lawnview (Also served by the {{DART G}})
• Hatcher (Also served by the {{DART G}})
• MLK, Jr. (Also served by the {{DART G}})
• Fair Park (Also served by the {{DART G}})
• Baylor University Medical Center (Also served by the {{DART G}})
• Deep Ellum (Also served by the {{DART G}})

The original Northwest Corridor plan included two stations which were deferred pending future development of their surrounding sites.{{cite archive |item=Northwest Corridor Light Rail Transit Line to Irving and DFW Airport in Dallas County, Texas: Final Impact Statement |item-url=https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1148401/ |type=report |date=2008-07-17 |publisher=Dallas Area Rapid Transit |access-date=2024-02-01 |pages=2-15, 2-16, 2-17, 2-19 |collection=DART Historical Archive |repository=The Portal to Texas History |institution=University of North Texas}} To date, neither station has been constructed. While not listed as such in the original plan, Hidden Ridge station was also deferred until its opening in 2021.

Loop 12 station would be located at the intersection of Loop 12 and SH 114 near the former site of Texas Stadium. The city of Irving has established a redevelopment plan for the site which includes the station.{{cite web |last1=Asrawi |first1=Ariana |title=Curious Texas investigates: What's next for the old Texas Stadium site in Irving |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/curious-texas/2023/12/28/curious-texas-irving-texas-stadium/ |website=The Dallas Morning News |publisher=DallasNews Corporation |date=2023-12-28}} Meanwhile, the DART FY2024-2028 Capital Improvement Plan hints at a possible opening in Fiscal Year 2028 (2028-2029).Dallas Area Rapid Transit. (2024). DART CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FY2024-2028. https://dartorgcmsblob.dart.org/prod/docs/default-source/capital-projects/dart_fy24_cip-report_final_020724_low-res.pdf?sfvrsn=dcbf2265_1

South Las Colinas station would be located on Teleport Boulevard near SH 114 and a former BNSF rail corridor. It would serve as an intermodal transit center between DART light rail, a proposed Las Colinas APT System extension, and a proposed commuter rail line on the BNSF corridor that would run from Irving to Frisco.{{cite news |last1=Sandoval |first1=Stephanie |title=BNSF rail service proposed by cities - A coalition would study route that runs from Irving to Frisco |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=0FC00B934DD580D0&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F11F514B10E99B390 |work=The Dallas Morning News |publisher=A. H. Belo Corporation |date=2008-03-09 |via=NewsBank}}

{{Reflist|33em}}

{{Attached KML|display=title,inline}}

• [https://www.dart.org/guide/transit-and-use/rail/rail-line-details/dart-orange-line DART - Orange Line]
• [https://dartorgcmsblob.dart.org/prod/docs/default-source/dart-maps/dartrailsystemmap24jan22-1.pdf Full DART Rail map]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20141022103536/http://www.dart.org/about/expansion/orangeline.asp Orange Line expansion information] (archived)

{{Dallas Area Rapid Transit}}

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Category:Dallas Area Rapid Transit light rail lines

Category:Passenger rail transportation in Texas

Category:Airport rail links in the United States