FTA awards $60.76m to DART through CIG programme. Credit: US DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), a transit agency in the US state of Texas, has secured a federal grant of $60.76m to bolster its light-rail capacity.

The funding, awarded by the US Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA), will be used to build Red and Blue Line platform extensions.

These platform extensions will help DART to run longer trains and accommodate more passengers.

US Transportation Secretary Elaine L Chao said: “This Federal investment will improve mobility for thousands of people who travel throughout the Dallas Metropolitan area.”

Under the programme, the platforms at 28 existing Red and Blue light-rail lines stations will be extended. Currently, the platforms at these stations can only accommodate two-car trains.

Once complete, DART will be able to operate three-car vehicles along the routes. Overall, the total project will cost around $128.74m.

FTA Acting Administrator K Jane Williams said: “Commuters in Dallas can now look forward to longer trains and a better commute.

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“We are proud to partner with the Texas Department of Transportation and DART to accommodate growing transit ridership and promote economic development as jobs and population in the Dallas area continue to increase.”

The federal funding will be provided through FTA’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) programme. This programme provides funding to major eligible transit projects across the US.

Through the CIG programme, the FTA awarded $300m for the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)’s Transbay Corridor Core Capacity project.

The funding will be used to strengthen the capacity of the heavy rail system between Oakland and downtown San Francisco.