With more than $1 billion in ongoing construction reshaping the southern end of downtown Fort Worth, city officials have prioritized ease of access to the Texas & Pacific (T&P) Station, a key TEXRail stop for visitors arriving from DFW International Airport. The recently completed Lancaster T&P Passage Project, funded with $1.75 million from the City of Fort Worth’s Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone District 8 (TIF 8), enhances both the safety and aesthetic appeal of the route from Lancaster Avenue to the T&P Station commuter rail platform.
The project aimed to create a welcoming and safe arrival experience for both visitors and residents, adding new lighting, wayfinding signage, and an art installation that celebrates the T&P Station’s historical role in Fort Worth’s development. The improvements are intended to transform the station into a vibrant gateway, providing a sense of place as well as a practical pedestrian link to the central business district.
Historical Art Installation Honors Fort Worth’s Rail Legacy
One of the most distinctive features of the newly completed passage is a public art display that uses historical photographs to tell the story of the T&P Station’s importance in Fort Worth’s history. Notable highlights include:
- The Inaugural Train (1931): Photos commemorate the arrival of the first train at T&P Station’s Passenger Terminal, marking the station’s opening in October 1931.
- Visits from Dignitaries: President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s visit is memorialized, underscoring the station’s role as a venue for historical events and national significance.
- World War II Contributions: During WWII, T&P Station served as a transit point for military personnel and a refuge for Jewish immigrants fleeing Nazi persecution, underscoring the station’s importance in both local and global contexts.
- Honoring Fort Worth Icons: The display features figures like Will Rogers and Amon Carter, who played key roles in Fort Worth’s growth. It also sheds light on contributions from lesser-known railroad workers, including train porters and “traqueros,” the Mexican-American laborers who built and maintained tracks.
Enhanced Pedestrian Experience
In addition to the historical narrative, the Lancaster T&P Passage Project addresses practical needs for commuters and visitors. The project created a direct, elegant walkway connecting the T&P platform to downtown Fort Worth, improving the transition from transit to the urban environment. The new path respects the architectural grandeur of the landmark T&P Terminal Building while integrating modern amenities. Improved lighting and clear wayfinding signage make navigation easier, enhancing the safety and visual appeal of the station area.
Project Contributors and Future Plans
The project was managed by Downtown Fort Worth Inc., with The Fain Group and Kimley-Horn responsible for landscape design, engineering, and construction. RSM assisted in crafting the directional signage to help commuters and visitors navigate the enhanced route.
Looking ahead, the grand T&P Terminal lobby is set to reopen in early December, with a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony planned. This next phase of the station’s enhancement will provide additional amenities for commuters and reinforce the historic station as a central component of Fort Worth’s identity. Weekly meetings with the City’s legal team, oversight committees, and public entities will continue to monitor and maintain the site, aiming to ensure a safe, efficient, and inviting space for all who pass through this significant urban gateway.
