WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX), top Republican on the House Appropriations Committee, announced today that Trinity Metro, previously known as Fort Worth Transportation Authority (FWTA), was authorized to use $38.9 million of leftover Department of Transportation (DOT)-Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant funds to extend TEXRail two more miles into the Fort Worth Medical District.
“As the economy of the Fort Worth area continues to boom, North Texans deserve infrastructure that keeps pace with our region’s rapid development. Five years ago, I advocated strongly on behalf of Trinity Metro to secure a $500 million grant to build TEXRail, a 26.8 mile commuter rail line extending from downtown Fort Worth across Tarrant County, through North Richland Hills and Grapevine, into the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
“Last January, TEXRail opened not only on time, but also $80.6 million under budget. While unspent federal funds are typically used for other projects across the U.S., I strongly supported Trinity Metro’s application to use $38.9 million of leftover grant funds to extend TEXRail by 2.1 miles into the Fort Worth Medical District, even personally urging Acting FTA Administrator Jane Williams to approve the request. TEXRail’s expansion into the Fort Worth Medical District will improve quality of life and access to health care services, an especially significant win for our District’s lower-income residents.
“Today I am thrilled to announce that Trinity Metro’s application was approved, bringing TEXRail one step closer to extending into the Fort Worth Medical District.
“As the former Mayor of Fort Worth, I know first-hand how very important infrastructure, including transit-oriented development, is to the local economy. I have no doubt that TEXRail’s new expansion will support the continued economic expansion of TX-12 and the wider Fort Worth area, already one of the fastest growing regions in the State of Texas.”