Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is set to begin segmented testing of the Silver Line Regional Rail project’s western corridor on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. This marks a significant milestone in the 26-mile regional commuter rail project, connecting DFW Airport to Shiloh Road in Plano.
The testing will cover the stretch between the DFW Airport North Station in Grapevine and Interstate 35 in Carrollton, with trains running from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on January 22 and 23. Flaggers will be present, and trains will sound horns at crossings to ensure public awareness. Simulated runs between Terminal B at DFW Airport and the Cypress Waters Station in Dallas are scheduled to begin on Sunday, January 26, between midnight and 4 a.m., with additional test runs anticipated through mid-February.
Testing Progress and Schedule
The segmented testing follows initial trials conducted in late 2024 between Shiloh Road in Plano and the University of Texas at Dallas Station in Richardson. The current phase involves testing track conditions, signals, crossing arms, and operating systems to prepare for full corridor testing in summer 2025.
Simulated stops during this phase will include the DFW Airport North Station and the Cypress Waters Station. These stations remain under construction and will not host passengers during the tests.
Quiet Zones Pending Revenue Service
While the Silver Line will eventually operate under a quiet zone ordinance to minimize noise, horns will be used during the testing phase at all crossings to alert the public of train movement. Quiet zones will take effect once the line begins revenue service in late 2025 or early 2026.
Project Progress and Features
The Silver Line project is now more than 85% complete, with over 200,000 linear feet of track installed. Eight of the ten planned stations are nearing completion, and the diesel multiple-unit (DMU) trains, designed by Stadler in Salt Lake City, offer modern amenities such as multidirectional seats, overhead storage, and CCTV cameras. The trains can accommodate over 230 passengers and are similar to Trinity Metro’s TEXRail vehicles.
The Silver Line spans seven cities—Grapevine, Coppell, Dallas, Carrollton, Addison, Richardson, and Plano—crossing three counties to enhance mobility and accessibility across North Texas. Once operational, the Silver Line will provide a direct connection for commuters and travelers, linking the region more efficiently than ever before.
To learn more about the Silver Line Regional Rail Project and to sign up for construction updates on the project, please visit DART.org/silverline.
