A-train (Denton County Transportation Authority)
Encyclopedia
The A-train is a21 miles (33.8 km) commuter rail
line in Denton County, Texas
, United States
that parallels Interstate 35E
and acts as an extension with the Dallas Area Rapid Transit
Green Line
at Trinity Mills Station in Carrollton
. It is operated by the Denton County Transportation Authority
(DCTA) and serves Denton County. It opened June 20, 2011.
In May 2005, the DCTA Board of Directors approved the study’s recommendation to construct the rail alignment on east side of I-35E
using an existing railroad corridor. DCTA is working closely with the Federal Transit Administration
(FTA) to accommodate all necessary Federal and local regulatory requirements. In March 2008, the DCTA Board of Directors approved the Final Environmental Impact Determination which details proposed measures to mitigate the environmental impacts of the rail project. In August 2008, the Regional Transportation Council approved funding of this project. Because of this, federal funds were not used in the construction of the train.
On 4 April 2011, the DCTA began tests of railcars, communications systems and signals on track between Carrollton and Lewisville Lake, with tests on the remainder of the route projected to begin later in the month, though this date was later pushed back to mid-May.
The train was opened on 20 June 2011 with celebrations at five train stations.
, serving the Denton Regional Medical Center
and nearby medical offices. Land for this station was purchased from the Medical Center on December 16, 2008 for $3.2 million.
and Highland Village area.
near Hebron Parkway; this station serves several apartment complexes and warehouses as well as Lewisville's main retail district including Vista Ridge Mall
. Ground was broken on this station in a ceremony held March 27, 2009.
has placed an order for 11 Stadler
GTW
2/6 DMUs
for the line. The full order will be delivered by August 2012 and in September 2012, a fleet transition will replace the leased Canadian Budd
DMUs from the Trinity Railway Express
. As of October 2011 at least some of the Stadler trains have been delivered and have begun service.
Commuter rail in North America
Commuter rail services in the United States, Canada, and Mexico provide common carrier passenger transportation along railway tracks, with scheduled service on fixed routes on a non-reservation basis primarily for short-distance travel between a central business district and adjacent suburbs and...
line in Denton County, Texas
Denton County, Texas
Denton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 432,976; in 2009 the estimated population had reached 628,300. Part of the Dallas – Fort Worth Metroplex, it is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States. The county seat is Denton. The county...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
that parallels Interstate 35E
Interstate 35E (Texas)
Interstate 35E , an Interstate Highway, is the eastern half of Interstate 35 where it splits to serve different cities in Texas. I-35 splits into two branch routes, I-35W and I-35E at Hillsboro. I-35E runs north for , maintaining I-35's sequence of exit numbers. It runs through Dallas before...
and acts as an extension with the Dallas Area Rapid Transit
Dallas Area Rapid Transit
The Dallas Area Rapid Transit authority is a transit agency based in Dallas, Texas . It operates buses, light rail, commuter rail, and high-occupancy vehicle lanes in Dallas and 12 of its suburbs...
Green Line
Green Line (Dallas Area Rapid Transit)
The Green Line is a light rail line in Dallas, USA, operated by the Dallas Area Rapid Transit authority . The US$1.7 billion project opened in phases, starting in 2009...
at Trinity Mills Station in Carrollton
Carrollton, Texas
-Climate:*On average, the warmest month is July.*The highest recorded temperature was 112°F in 1980.*The average coolest month is January.*The lowest recorded temperature was 1°F in 1989.*The most precipitation on average occurs in May....
. It is operated by the Denton County Transportation Authority
Denton County Transportation Authority
The Denton County Transportation Authority is the transit authority that operates in Denton County, Texas, USA, which is northwest of Dallas County...
(DCTA) and serves Denton County. It opened June 20, 2011.
History
A formal Alternatives Analysis study conducted in 2004-2005, which included extensive community and citizen involvement, identified the proposed rail line as the best and most cost-effective mobility solution for Denton County and the region. It cited the impacts of projected population growth, growing safety, traffic congestion and air quality concerns, as well as the need to improve access to Denton County’s vital health care facilities and three major college and university campuses.In May 2005, the DCTA Board of Directors approved the study’s recommendation to construct the rail alignment on east side of I-35E
Interstate 35E (Texas)
Interstate 35E , an Interstate Highway, is the eastern half of Interstate 35 where it splits to serve different cities in Texas. I-35 splits into two branch routes, I-35W and I-35E at Hillsboro. I-35E runs north for , maintaining I-35's sequence of exit numbers. It runs through Dallas before...
using an existing railroad corridor. DCTA is working closely with the Federal Transit Administration
Federal Transit Administration
The Federal Transit Administration is an agency within the United States Department of Transportation that provides financial and technical assistance to local public transit systems. The FTA is one of ten modal administrations within the DOT...
(FTA) to accommodate all necessary Federal and local regulatory requirements. In March 2008, the DCTA Board of Directors approved the Final Environmental Impact Determination which details proposed measures to mitigate the environmental impacts of the rail project. In August 2008, the Regional Transportation Council approved funding of this project. Because of this, federal funds were not used in the construction of the train.
On 4 April 2011, the DCTA began tests of railcars, communications systems and signals on track between Carrollton and Lewisville Lake, with tests on the remainder of the route projected to begin later in the month, though this date was later pushed back to mid-May.
The train was opened on 20 June 2011 with celebrations at five train stations.
Downtown Denton Transit Center
Located in downtown Denton, this station is bordered by Hickory and Sycamore streets (north to south) and Bell and Railroad avenues (west to east). The DCTA held a ground breaking ceremony for this station on March 22, 2010.Medpark Station
Located in south DentonDenton, Texas
The city of Denton is the county seat of Denton County, Texas in the United States. Its population was 119,454 according to the 2010 U.S. Census, making it the eleventh largest city in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex...
, serving the Denton Regional Medical Center
Denton Regional Medical Center
Denton Regional Medical Center, or Denton Regional, is a full service hospital operated by Hospital Corporation of America and is located at 3535 South Interstate 35, southeast of downtown Denton, Texas. It houses 200 beds, and employs more than 850 employees and 285 physicians...
and nearby medical offices. Land for this station was purchased from the Medical Center on December 16, 2008 for $3.2 million.
Highland Village/Lewisville Lake Station
Located in north Lewisville near Garden Ridge Road, serving the Lewisville LakeLewisville Lake
Lewisville Lake is a reservoir located in North Texas on the Elm Fork of the Trinity River in Denton County near Lewisville. The lake is primarily used recreationally for boating and watercraft, however, it was built for flood control purposes and to serve as a water source for Dallas and its...
and Highland Village area.
Old Town Station
Located near the Old Town district of Lewisville (its downtown area),Hebron Station
Located in south LewisvilleLewisville, Texas
Lewisville is a city in Denton County in the U.S. state of Texas. The 2010 United States Census placed the population at 95,290 within . The city also includes of Lewisville Lake....
near Hebron Parkway; this station serves several apartment complexes and warehouses as well as Lewisville's main retail district including Vista Ridge Mall
Vista Ridge Mall
Vista Ridge Mall is a shopping mall in Lewisville, Texas, USA, and was constructed in 1989. It is located on the southwest corner of Round Grove Road and the portion of Interstate 35E known as Stemmons Freeway. It contains 160 stores, five of which are anchor tenants.The mall had its grand opening...
. Ground was broken on this station in a ceremony held March 27, 2009.
Trinity Mills Station
The Trinity Mills Station, part of the DART Green Line, is the southern terminus of the A-Train.Rolling stock
DCTADenton County Transportation Authority
The Denton County Transportation Authority is the transit authority that operates in Denton County, Texas, USA, which is northwest of Dallas County...
has placed an order for 11 Stadler
Stadler Rail
Stadler Rail AG , based in Bussnang, Switzerland, is a Swiss manufacturer of rail passenger cars.In 1942 Ernst Stadler founded the Stadler Engineering Office which later became Stadler Rail.- Factories :...
GTW
Stadler GTW
The Stadler GTW, sold by Stadler Rail of Switzerland, is an articulated railcar for local transport. GTW stands for Gelenktriebwagen .-Description:...
2/6 DMUs
Diesel multiple unit
A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:...
for the line. The full order will be delivered by August 2012 and in September 2012, a fleet transition will replace the leased Canadian Budd
Budd Rail Diesel Car
The Budd Rail Diesel Car, RDC or Buddliner is a self-propelled diesel multiple unit railcar. In the period 1949–62, 398 RDCs were built by the Budd Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States...
DMUs from the Trinity Railway Express
Trinity Railway Express
The Trinity Railway Express is a commuter rail line in the Dallas – Fort Worth Metroplex. It was established by an interlocal agreement between Dallas Area Rapid Transit and the Fort Worth Transportation Authority . Each transit authority owns a 50% stake in the joint rail project and...
. As of October 2011 at least some of the Stadler trains have been delivered and have begun service.
| Class | Image | Type | Top speed | Number | Routes operated | Built | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mph | km/h | ||||||
| Budd Rail Diesel Car Budd Rail Diesel Car The Budd Rail Diesel Car, RDC or Buddliner is a self-propelled diesel multiple unit railcar. In the period 1949–62, 398 RDCs were built by the Budd Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States... |
Diesel Multiple Unit Diesel multiple unit A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:... |
75 | 120 | 10 | Denton-Carrollton | 1949-62 | |