The Dallas City Council picked a side with regard to the D2 line (it prefers a subway to above ground light rail) and the proposed Cotton Belt line (it can wait).
"The Dallas City Council has unanimously signed off on its vision for DART's future priorities," reports Stephen Young. The vision is thoroughly pro-transit for city-dwellers. According to Young, the council's vision includes "a downtown subway to ease the existing rail bottleneck, better bus service with routes that makes sense and connections between streetcar service in Oak Cliff and Uptown."
"Maybe then, if all of that gets done and funding can be secured, DART can think about building the Cotton Belt rail line, which would connect pieces of the northern suburbs to DFW airport," adds Young.
The council's ideas counters those of DART staff members who believe the downtown subway and the Cotton Belt to Plano can be built at the same time, according to Young. The city also came down thoroughly on the side of a subway in a debate that has been brewing for a few months now, preferring a subway over a light rail line for the D2 line.
In a separate article, Peter Simek also notes the Dallas City Council's pro-transit vote, especially its focus on bus lines, writing: "This morning the Dallas City Council spent nearly two hours talking about buses, and it was glorious."
FULL STORY: City Council Demands Dallas-Focused Public Transit From DART
Dallas Nixes Subway Plan
A proposed subway line was removed from DART’s 20-year plan, with the agency citing low ridership projections and local opposition.
Dallas Subway Project Gets a Key Green Light
The Dallas City Council kept the d2 subway plan on track with a vote this week.
Seeking a Voice for Suburban Transit Interests in Dallas
An advocate for the Cotton Belt line to connect Dallas with suburbs to the north is tired of the project taking a backseat to the transit interests of the urban core.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.
Since Zion's Shuttles Went Electric “The Smog is Gone”
Visitors to Zion National Park can enjoy the canyon via the nation’s first fully electric park shuttle system.
Trump Distributing DOT Safety Funds at 1/10 Rate of Biden
Funds for Safe Streets and other transportation safety and equity programs are being held up by administrative reviews and conflicts with the Trump administration’s priorities.
German Cities Subsidize Taxis for Women Amid Wave of Violence
Free or low-cost taxi rides can help women navigate cities more safely, but critics say the programs don't address the root causes of violence against women.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie