The 14-mile Orange Line will be built in three phases, with the first phase scheduled to reach Las Colinas by December 2011. Construction on phase one is under way. The third phase drew the concern of Irving leaders as an optional alignment to connect with the proposed Cotton Belt Line would relocate the DFW Station away from a direct connection with Terminal A.
To ensure the smooth development of the Orange Line to DFW International Airport, the Irving City Council has adopted numerous ordinances to make the creation of transit-oriented development as easy as possible. The plan for this line has generated more than $4 billion in designated development projects.
The direct connect decision to the airport will allow for the continuation of economic development along the line. Current construction outlays of 14 projects that are under way or are planned have already reached $2.3 billion. According to a recent study, the North Texas region could expect to generate almost $3.3 billion in economic activity as a result of the Orange Line.
