Denton Rail May Be Delayed Until 2013

UNTflyer · October 4, 2009

A high-stakes commuter train project linking Dallas and Denton has hit snags on its northern end, a delay that could push Denton's dreams of rail service further into the next decade.

Planners still hope to open the southern half of the $314 million rail line as scheduled in December 2010. That segment runs from Carrollton north to Lewisville.

But the city of Denton and transit officials remain at odds over project details north of Lewisville. As such, the transit authority has decided to split the project into northern and southern phases.

The disputes make it unlikely that the full project, known as the A-train, will be finished next year as they had hoped. In fact, officials now estimate it might be 2013 before Denton's portion opens.

"We're building as quickly as we can," said Dee Leggett, a spokeswoman for the Denton County Transportation Authority, which is overseeing the project. "Our system isn't complete until we can get to Denton."

At issue is the proximity of the rail project in some spots to a key city water line and a heavily used hike-and-bike trail nearby. Denton city engineers are worried about squeezing the rail line in.

Denton also is seeking financial assurances from the transit authority should construction damage city infrastructure.

When the two sides might bridge their differences is unclear. Denton controls much of the right of way north of Lewisville. DART owns the right of way south of Lewisville.

Prolonged delays would prove a blow to Denton, which for years has lobbied for passenger rail service as an alternative to congested Interstate 35.

More broadly, planners envision the 21-mile rail line as a symbolic link that will bring fast-growing Denton closer to the rest of the metro area.

Moreover, the rail line's opening was scheduled to coincide both with the 2011 Super Bowl in Arlington and a planned major reconstruction of I-35.

UNTflyer · October 4, 2009

Once again the city of Denton has demonstrated incompetence in a major project.

The DCTA Rail, the Rayzor Ranch, Loop 288... I think it's time to clean house at City Hall.

October 4, 2009

Maybe they'll find the habitat of some minnow or rare insect and scrap the plans entirely. Just let it end at Lewisville. I get tired head listening to Denton administrators.

meangreendork · October 4, 2009

Well, I hope they fix this, but I'll just manage with the Carrollton station when it opens. I'll be really happy because there's construction for a station RIGHT behind my office, and that'll be awesome to have if I like this place enough to be there that long.

UNT90 · October 4, 2009

Once again the city of Denton has demonstrated incompetence in a major project.
The DCTA Rail, the Rayzor Ranch, Loop 288... I think it's time to clean house at City Hall.

So, with whom shall the citizens of Denton replace them? :ph34r:

adman · October 4, 2009

Once again the city of Denton has demonstrated incompetence in a major project.
The DCTA Rail, the Rayzor Ranch, Loop 288... I think it's time to clean house at City Hall.

This:

At issue is the proximity of the rail project in some spots to a key city water line and a heavily used hike-and-bike trail nearby. Denton city engineers are worried about squeezing the rail line in.

Denton also is seeking financial assurances from the transit authority should construction damage city infrastructure.

...sounds reasonable to me.

Saying it may be delayed until 2013 and broken into northern and southern phases sounds like the transit authority is jockeying for a position of power from which to negotiate.

LoveMG · October 4, 2009

denton is spanish for delayed.

UNTflyer · October 4, 2009

This:
At issue is the proximity of the rail project in some spots to a key city water line and a heavily used hike-and-bike trail nearby. Denton city engineers are worried about squeezing the rail line in.
Denton also is seeking financial assurances from the transit authority should construction damage city infrastructure.
...sounds reasonable to me.
Saying it may be delayed until 2013 and broken into northern and southern phases sounds like the transit authority is jockeying for a position of power from which to negotiate.

I find it difficult to believe that after years of planning there is suddenly an issue with the water line and bike trail. As for the financial assurances, I agree that is reasonable but again find it hard to accept that this issue was not settled long before construction began.

The long-term regional transit plan has light rail going to Waxahachie, McKinney, Cleburne, Kaufman County, Midlothian, and more. The city of Denton needs to fix this and deliver the project on time.

KRAM1 · October 4, 2009

Just the latest in the "planning" by the city of Denton. You know...don't look into these matters up front or in the beginning of a project...like the challenges with the Loop 288 project that were "discovered" AFTER the project began...just wait until you can delay the project and look into some potential challenges. Denton is like the old mule...they wait until they are hit in the head with a brick before they actually plan and do basic research.

Amazing stuff the cityn government and staff we have here in big beautiful denton. Once again, the city displays its lack of basic planning skills! Good Grief.

UNT_playmaker · October 4, 2009

No suprise whatsoever about the City of Denton F*&%ing up another project that comes there way.

DCTA has done a fantastic job keeping up their end, once they hit City proeprty its all goes away.

What did I say in the previous threads and posts, Denton = Failure in all aspects

Rayzor Ranch, Port 35, Hunter and Cole Ranch ( they were going to donate land for UNT for a new golf course), numerous other retail opportunities....

I am currently developing my family's property here in Denton and it has been over 7 months and I still cant pull a building permit to build on my own land in prime location of course in Denton, its going to be a steel bldg which takes 3 days to put up, The city's planning, engineering, and bldg inspections have given me the run around and told me things that were never true to delay me on purpose.

I have talked with TxDot, several engineering firms, and other business owners and they have told me to go and build outside of Denton, like everyone else, Denton is not open for business.

But as stupid as it sounds, Denton is my hometown and I will continue forward, but others have moved on to other cities and never looked back.

UNTflyer · October 6, 2009

Today was my first Parks & Rec board meeting, and by coincidence I ran into a DCTA board member on my way to the meeting. I was able to get a little more information on this, and I am now reassured that the Denton R-C may have overstated the possibility of a delay, and the extent to which the project may be postponed.

While the complete project MAY be (worst case scenario) completed in early 2013, plans are to open Medpark station near DRMC no later than spring 2011 (a 3-month delay). The issue is the corridor north of that station all the way to the end of the planned line terminating in downtown Denton. The DCTA board, city engineers, DART, and attorneys on all sides are working hard to get the project back on track, so to speak.