TEXRail Commuter Line

With Tarrant County experiencing significant growth in population and employment as projected in the North Central Texas Council of Governments’ Regional Mobility 2025 Plan, Trinity Metro recognized the urgent need for a modern, efficient transportation solution. The county’s sole reliance on highways was creating traffic congestion, worsening air quality, and impeding mobility between major activity centers.

>Trinity Metro sought to address these challenges with a 27.2-mile commuter rail system, TEXRail, connecting downtown Fort Worth to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s Terminal B. The project required innovative solutions to integrate seamlessly with existing transportation networks, improve environmental conditions, and support the region’s economic development goals.

Adding to the complexity, the project demanded extensive coordination with 13 major stakeholders, including railroads, municipalities, state and federal agencies, and utilities. TEXRail needed to modernize a 100-year-old rail corridor, construct nine stations, and ensure safe integration with active railroads, all within an accelerated timeline.

The Parsons/GFT Joint Venture (JV) led the design of the $1.034 billion TEXRail project, providing engineering expertise from concept validation to final construction support. Working in tandem with Trinity Metro, the JV delivered a safe, reliable, and future-ready commuter rail system.

The TEXRail design prioritized passenger experience, environmental sustainability, and seamless multimodal integration. Premium amenities such as work tables, USB charging ports, bicycle racks, and quiet cars enhance rider convenience, while level boarding ensures accessibility for individuals with wheelchairs, strollers, or rolling luggage.

The system also incorporates Positive Train Control (PTC) technology, an advanced safety feature that prevents collisions and derailments by automatically stopping the train if the engineer does not respond to hazards.

The project included:

• Nine stations, including shared connections with the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) and future Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Silver Line.
• 32 structures, ranging from rehabilitated spans to new construction, including the complex “Hole-in-the-Wall” multi-level crossing.
• Reconstruction of 39 at-grade crossings, 31 of which were designed as quiet zones.
• Coordination of over 500 utility crossings.

Throughout the process, the team overcame challenges with innovative solutions. For instance, at the “Hole-in-the-Wall,” the design involved three vertical levels of rail alignments and complex temporary structures to ensure uninterrupted freight operations during construction.<