Work begins on new Tex Rail line

FORT WORTH, Texas - Workers broke ground Wednesday on a new transit project that will connect Fort Worth with DFW Airport.

A number of dignitaries put shovels in the dirt at the historic Grapevine Train Depot to ceremoniously begin the construction on the $1 billion Tex-Rail project.

The work will continue for a little more than two years and provide Fort Worth with a rail link the airport.

The line will begin in Downtown Fort Worth. It will span 27 miles and make several stops in North Richland Hills and Grapevine. Nine train stations will be built, along with train crossings.

Grapevine will get a new platform and new tracks will have to be laid down.

Sean Donohue, DFW Airport’ CEO, said Tex-Rail is very important because it means travelers will be able to reach the airport from both the east and west by rail.

The federal government is funding about half the project. The other half is paid for by local sources.