The population in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metropolitan area continues to grow. In 2025, more than 6.7 million people call the DFW area home, more than double the 1990 population of just over 3.2 million. Recently, there was a significant increase in the infra-
structure in the area with the opening of the DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) Silver Line, a 26-mile regional rail service constructed by the Archer Western Herzog Consortium.
The DART Silver Line provides an east-west connection that didn’t exist previously. The rail service runs from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport eastward to Plano, Texas. It has 10 stops across seven different cities:
Grapevine, Coppell, Carrollton, Dallas, Addison, Richardson and Plano.
The new line also will connect to three different existing light rail lines and help create more circular service.
“It will improve regional mobility and add direct airport access while reducing vehicle congestion,” said Jeamy Molina, chief communications officer of DART.
Heavy Equipment Used and Rebuilt Parts
ASHING EQ WA W S CRUSHING, QUIPMENT CREENING, DRILLING & – Plus Expert Installation & Repair Services. AR MO RAILC
VY CONS HEAAV VERS UCTION EQUIPM TR ENT & for Built – Driven Performance, by Excellence.
SOLUTIONS W MOBILE PO CT E A ER & COMP QUIPMENT
– Power & Reliability in Every Job.
CONCRETE & AVVING T P LTASPHAL A G
EQUIPMENT
– Built for Precision and Performance.
Agricultural Tractors
2023 JOHN DEERE 6R165......................$242,000
2022 JOHN DEERE 6R 155....................$189,500
2015 JOHN DEERE 6215R......................$120,000
(3) 2020-2023 JOHN DEERE 6130M..From $115,000 (5) 2018-2024 JOHN DEERE 6120M....From $69,500
2022 JOHN DEERE 5125M ....................$125,000
2023 JOHN DEERE 5115M......................$98,500 (3) 2021-2023 JOHN DEERE 5100M....From $81,000
Fluor Starts SH6 Expansion Project in Bryan/College Station
Fluor Corp. joined officials from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), local leaders and community members on Nov. 20, 2025, to celebrate the groundbreaking of the State Highway 6 (S.H. 6) expansion project in Bryan/College Station.
The $671 million project, awarded to Fluor’s Infrastructure business earlier this year, marks a significant milestone in improving mobility and safety along one of the region’s most critical transportation corridors. The 12-mi. stretch of S.H. 6 will be reconstructed and widened from two to three lanes in each direction, enhancing capacity for commuters, freight and emergency evacuation routes.
“This groundbreaking signifies the start of an exciting expansion of SH-6 that will boost traffic capacity, strengthen regional connectivity and create a safer, more efficient route for everyone,” said Shawn West, president of Fluor’s Infrastructure business. “We are proud to partner with TxDOT once again to deliver an infrastructure project that supports Texas’ continued growth and prosperity.”
S.H. 6 was first constructed more than 50 years ago. More than 100,000 vehicles use it daily, according to kbtx.com.
As part of the Texas Triangle, S.H. 6 serves as a vital north-south artery for Bryan/College Station, Texas A&M University and Brazos County. It also is a key component of the Texas Highway Freight Network, the Texas Highway Trunk System and a designated Hurricane Evacuation Route. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2030.
State Rep. Paul Dyson said this project was about ensuring that the infrastructure around Bryan-College Station kept pace with the area’s growth, kbtx.com reported.
“Families are moving here, businesses are investing here, and Texas A&M continues to draw that talent from around the world. This project is about making sure our infrastructure keeps up with the bright
future ahead of us,” he said. Fluor Corp. is based in Irvine. Fluor has designed and built infrastructure projects in Texas for nearly 25 years and is executing the I-635 LBJ East and I-35E projects in Dallas, the Oak Hill Parkway and I-35 Capital Express South projects in Austin and the I-35 NEX South project in San Antonio. For details, visit fluour.com.
TRG Datacenters Begins On 24MW Houston Expansion
TRG Datacenters held a groundbreaking on Nov. 14, 2025, to celebrate the start of construction on HOU2, its second data center on its Spring, Texas, campus near Houston, according to commercialsearch.com.
The 110,000-sq.-ft., 24 MW facility is expected to become operational in the fourth quarter of 2026. A project cost wasn’t announced.
“Our strong track record of delivering high-quality infrastructure and customer service has brought us to an inflection point,” TRG Datacenters CEO Christopher Hinkle said at the event. “With HOU1 nearly fully subscribed and HOU2 under way, this expansion gives customers certainty in a supply-constrained market.”
Partners on the project include Thomas Craig Construction, Encore Concrete Construction, Walker Engineering and HTS, according to commercialsearch.com, while CenterPoint Energy will serve as the power supplier.
The facility will feature cabinet-tocage colocation, adaptable data halls, more than 120 KW per-rack capability and closed-loop, dry-chiller cooling.
The company’s first Houston facility, HOU1, came online in 2018, maintaining 100 percent uptime ever since.
That 45,000-sq.-ft. property is at 2626 Spring Cypress Road, 12 mi. south of The Woodlands data center cluster, according to commercialsearch.com
The 10-acre campus includes a redundant power feed and 16 on-campus carriers. Amenities include conference rooms, a kitchen, a break area, secure parking spots and semitruck loading docks.
Tallvine Partners bought TRG earlier in 2025, and its expansion plans include entering other markets, both in Texas and across the nation., according to commercialsearch.com.
“This expansion aligns perfectly with our growth strategy for the TRG platform, and customer demand continues to accelerate across the business,”
Mark Clark, a partner of Tallvine Partners, said at the event.
(All photos courtesy of TRG Datacenters.)
Fluor Corp. photo
(L-R) are Bryan/College Station Metropolitan Planning Organization Executive Director Dan Rudge; acting Brazos County Judge Kyle Kacal; College Station Mayor John Nichols; Fluor President of Infrastructure Shawn West; TxDOT Bryan District Engineer Chad Bohne; Texas House of Representatives for District 14 Paul Dyson; Bryan Mayor Pro Tem James Edge; and Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce President Glen Brewer.
A rendering of the future HOU2
TRG Datacenters broke ground on its second data center near Houston on Nov. 14, 2025.
CR A RED KE T DIT HE
YO
TH WITH U
OU
HE SECTION 179 . RVE IT . . T. TA TAX CREDIT
thecode
DESER
pric purchase l or buy you e qualifying of fina significant 179 Section Sti gross inc your from e qualifying equip ease quipment bought or ws ncial boost! It allo of the IRS tax cod fthIRStd
ome—provided you you can pote ment, financed in the 202 you to deduct up to t e is designed to gi ididti meet the criteria set ntially write off the whet So, r.yea 5 tax he entire purchase pr ive small illbibusinesses
Bobcat of Abilene 325-673-7361
Bobcat of Amarillo 806-622-9593
Bobcat of Austin 512-251-3415
Bobcat of Buda 512-884-5533
Bobcat of Corpus Christi 361-884-3959
Bobcat of Corsicana 902-483-6000
Bobcat of Lubbock 806-745-1322
Bobcat of Marble Falls 830-220-6070
Bobcat of Marion 830-420-9020
Bobcat of Midland–Odessa 432-685-9298
Bobcat of Pleasanton 830-580-4020
by full ther
LEARN MORE ice a
Bobcat of the Rio Grande Valley 956-425-4300 Bobcat of San Antonio 210-337-6136
Bobcat of Temple 254-523-4900
Bobcat of Victoria 361-579-0922
Bobcat of Waco 254-488-7004
Bobcat of Wichita Falls 940-285-7777
Ranchers ATV and Tractor Kerrville 830-315-2330
Doral Renewables Chooses Bechtel to Build 430 MW Cold Creek Solar Project
Bechtel, an engineering, construction and project management firm, announced on Nov. 5, 2025, that it was selected by Doral Renewables to design and build the Cold Creek Solar+Storage project in Schleicher and Tom Green counties, Texas.
The facility is expected to generate approximately 430 megawatts (MW) of clean energy using more than 850,000 solar modules. The Cold Creek project also will feature a 340 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery energy storage system to capture and store excess energy generated during the day and deliver it to the Texas electricity grid when consumer demand peaks.
“The Cold Creek project highlights the power of an all-of-the-above energy strategy,” said Scott Austin, Bechtel general manager of renewables and clean power. “Texas continues to lead the nation in blending traditional and renewable resources to strengthen its grid. By combining 430 MW of solar generation with 340 MWh of storage, Cold Creek will make the Texas grid stronger and more reliable for years to come. We are proud to bring Bechtel’s experience to this important project and support Doral Renewables’ mission to deliver reliable, homegrown power to Texas.”
Key highlights of the project include:
The Cold Creek Solar+Storage project is expected to generate approximately 430 megawatts (MW) of clean energy using more than 850,000 solar modules.
Texas Health Plano Starts On $343M Expansion Project
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano broke ground on Oct. 21, 2025, on a $343 million expansion project designed to transform the medical campus by 2028, according to localprofile.com.
The project will include a new eight-story patient tower and a six-story parking garage. Completion is planned for fall 2028.
Hospital officials said the tower will significantly expand the hospital’s capacity, which is much needed for those patients requiring intensive and critical care, localprofile.com reported. Collin County’s population is growing rapidly.
The new tower will be adjacent to the existing tower on the campus’s east end; it will be sited in an area now occupied by parking and the hospital’s helipad. Upon completion, the helipad will move to the new tower’s roof, according to localprofile.com.
• Bechtel will provide engineering, procurement and construction services for the solar and storage facilities across the two counties, which will deliver power to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas grid.
• At peak construction, the Cold Creek project is expected to create more than 500 jobs, offering training opportunities and stimulating economic activity that will benefit the regional economy and surrounding communities.
• Engineering is already under way, with commercial operations expected to begin in 2028.
Doral Renewables, a utility-scale solar and battery storage
independent power producer, announced on Oct. 6, 2025, that it executed a power purchase agreement with a corporate buyer for the Cold Creek Solar Project. The agreement covers 75 percent of the facility’s energy output and 100 percent of the associated Renewable Energy Credits.
This transaction increases the company’s contracted energy generation to more than 1.6 GW in total. The Cold Creek Solar project is expected to deliver over 1 million MWh annually.
“The Cold Creek project is a major milestone for our company’s growth,” said Jason Van Deusen, Doral Renewables vice president of project management. “We are thrilled to extend our partnership with Bechtel. The strong relationship forged between the two organizations through collaboration, transparency and shared values of community engagement, local workforce participation, safety, quality and environmental stewardship has set the stage for continued success. We are excited to continue this momentum as we embark on another significant project and contribute to the vision of a diverse energy portfolio and resilient grid in America.”
(All photos courtesy of Bechtel.)
When the tower is finished, Texas Health Plano will offer nearly 400 licensed acute and critical care beds, an increase from the current 230.
The facility will include 563 beds in all that encompass behavioral health, women’s services and neonatal care. The basement level will connect to existing service corridors while housing an expanded pharmacy, according to localprofile.com.
Texas Health Plano’s expansion continues a plan to strengthen specialty services. The hospital recently renovated its neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), which now features 42 beds and seven private rooms that allow families to stay close to their newborns during treatment, according to localprofile.com.
In addition, construction is under way on a new operating room that’s dedicated to advanced neuroscience and cardiovascular procedures. The surgical suite will feature advanced technology for multidisciplinary operations, including transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and endovascular aneurysm repair, according to localprofile.com.
“These expansions enable Texas Health Plano to grow with our community and to meet its evolving needs,” Fraser Hay, Texas Health Plano president, previously said.
Bechtel is constructing a similar solar storage facility in Indiana for Doral Renewables.
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano rendering A rendering of the $343 million expansion project at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano.
Niece 8,000 gallon water tanks
installed on 40 ton Articulated Off Highway chassis. This combination is the workhorse of the dust control and water needs for quarries and large construction sites
The NWT9500 9500 Gallon water tank mounted on articulated truck. Pictured: Deere 460E with 9,500 gallon tank. Tanks come with 6X5 pumps. The NFL3000 Off Road, Fuel and Lube Bed offers 3,000 gallons of diesel fuel.
The NFL10000 Fuel & Lube Can be mounted on any 100,000 lb rigid frame truck. Holds 10,000 gallons of diesel. 5 additional fluid tanks. Holds up to 3,000 gallons of oil.
Embraer Begins Work On Maintenance Repair, Overhaul Facility in Fort Worth
Embraer held a groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 20, 2025, to mark the start of construction on its new maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility for commercial jets at Perot Field Alliance Airport in Fort Worth.
The event brought together local officials, Embraer executives and representatives from partner organizations.
The new hangar is scheduled to open by 2027.
With the expanded infrastructure, Embraer’s capacity to serve E-Jets customers in the United States will grow by 53 percent. The investment — expected to reach up to $70 million — is expected to create approximately 250 new skilled aviation jobs in Texas. In collaboration with the city of Fort Worth, Denton County, and the state of Texas, Embraer began operations at Alliance Airport in June at an existing hangar.
“We are honored to be here in Fort Worth, Texas — a city that represents innovation, resilience and opportunity — to celebrate the groundbreaking of our new maintenance, repair and overhaul facility at Perot Field Alliance Airport,” said Francisco Gomes Neto, president and CEO of Embraer. “This moment marks a new chapter in Embraer’s journey in
the United States, a country where we’ve been for over 46 years. With an investment of up to $70 million and the creation of 250 new skilled aviation jobs, this facility is a symbol of our long-term commitment to the U.S. market.”
“Today’s groundbreaking at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport marks an exciting milestone for our region,” said Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker. “The airport continues to serve as a hub of innovation and economic opportunity, and Embraer’s expansion further strengthens Fort Worth’s position as a global leader in aviation and advanced manufacturing. This investment brings not only high-quality jobs but also highlights the strength of our business environment and the talent of our local workforce.”
The new Fort Worth service center will be part of Embraer’s global network, which includes more than 80 authorized service centers and 13 Embraer-owned service centers worldwide.
Embraer is a global aerospace company founded in 1969 that is headquartered in Brazil, with businesses in commercial and executive aviation, defense and security and agricultural aviation.
Nine Texas Airports Receive $13.4M for Improvement Work
The Texas Department of Transportation approved $13.4 million in funding for improvements at nine Texas airports.
The Texas Transportation Commission recently approved more than $13.4 million in combined federal, state and local funding to support critical infrastructure upgrades at nine Texas airports.
The funding will be used for a range of improvements, including pavement rehabilitation, weather system upgrades, planning and fuel farm design. The projects aim to enhance safety, preserve facilities and support the long-term growth of Texas’s general aviation network.
“This funding helps ensure that our airports remain safe, operational and aligned with future transportation needs,” said TxDOT Aviation Director Dan Harmon. “These projects reflect the department’s continued commitment to improving mobility and connectivity across the state.”
Funding Sources
The projects are funded through a combination of federal and state aviation grants, including federal non-primary entitlement and apportionment funds; Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funds; State Aviation Facilities Grant funds; and Texas Mobility Fund (TMF) contributions.
Projects included:
• Huntsville Municipal Airport, $5.6 million for pavement improvements;
• Scholes International Airport in Galveston, $2.98 million for pavement improvements;
• North Texas Regional Airport/Perrin Field in Sherman/Denison, $1.45 million for pavement reimbursements;
• Bay City Regional Airport, $1.43 million for pavement improvements;
• Burnet Municipal Airport, $1.22 million for hangar reimbursements;
• Brownwood Regional Airport, $350,000 for an airport layout plan;
• Terrell Municipal Airport, $209,809 for a fuel farm design reimbursement;
• Denton Enterprise Airport, $53,200 for a pavement study reimbursement; and
• Alpine-Casparis Municipal Airport; $200,000 to relocate and replace the weather system.
For more information, visit txdot.gov.
(This article is reprinted courtesy of TxDOT.)
Texas Department of Transportation photo
A rendering of the new Embraer MRO facility
Hillwood photo
Embraer photo
Embraer executives and other officials turn over ceremonial shovels of dirt at the MRO groundbreaking in October.
THE DOER’S DREAM
PIRTEK Denton
2126 Hamilton Rd Ste 350-360 Argyle, TX 76226 (940) 241-0082
PIRTEK Riverside
15301 N Interstate Hwy 35 Unit G Pflugerville, TX 78660 (512) 448-0800
PIRTEK Waco
125 Topeka Dr, Suite D Woodway, TX 76712 (254) 294-8508
PIRTEK Brownsville
Mobile Service Only Brownsville, TX 78521 (956) 346-2582
PIRTEK Brushy Creek Mobile Service Only Brushy Creek, TX 78681 (512) 363-5973
PIRTEK College Station Mobile Service Only (979) 789-4673
PIRTEK Tomball
26010 State Hwy 249 Suite B Tomball, TX 77375 (281) 741-8090
PIRTEK Baytown
4308 Garth Rd. Suite A Baytown, TX 77521 (281) 837-7203
PIRTEK Beltway North 1920 Rankin Rd. Suite 170 Houston, TX 77073 (713) 649-3801
PIRTEK Conroe 1775 N Loop 336 E, STE13 Conroe, TX 77301 (346) 406-4122
PIRTEK Gulfgate 6205 Brookhill Dr. Suite 1 Houston, TX (713) 649-3800
PIRTEK Katy
1920 Primewest Pkwy. Suite 500 Katy, TX 77449 (832) 737-4673
2201 Hwy. 35 Bypass N Suite D Alvin, TX 77511 (713) 572-5439
PIRTEK Rosenberg
Mobile Service Only Rosenberg, TX 77471 (346) 576-4673
PIRTEK Stafford
Mobile Service Only Stafford, TX 77477 (281) 982-5246
PIRTEK Plano South 811 E Plano Parkway, Suite 121, Plano, TX 75074 (972) 423-1111
PIRTEK Sherman Mobile Service Only Sherman, TX 75090 (903) 487-4750
PIRTEK Temple Mobile Service Only Temple, TX 76501 (254) 299-5751
TxDOT Performs ‘Once-in-a-Lifetime Survey’ in Ancient Cave
Most Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) survey work includes establishing property boundaries, making maps and other above-ground tasks to prepare an area for design and construction.
But last winter, a TxDOT survey team got to work underground in the Inner Space Cavern near Georgetown to create a detailed 3D model of the cavern.
Gina Loftis-Franklin, a land surveyor with the TxDOT Austin District and project lead for the Inner Space Cavern survey, said the project will establish the exact coordinates of the cavern to help plan future transportation projects along the Interstate 35 corridor.
“We don’t do this very often,” LoftisFranklin said. “This is kind of a once-in-alifetime survey for us, because we mainly are surveying on the surface for boundaries and land for the roadways. Here, we actually get to traverse underground to survey and still maintain good coordinates.”
The undertaking called for a team of land surveyors, environmentalists, engineers and technologists across multiple TxDOT departments to work together.
Knowing the exact location and size of the cavern’s passages will help Inner Space Cavern be protected in any future construction projects.
A previous TxDOT project led to the cave’s discovery in 1963. TxDOT was drilling core samples to build a bridge on I-35 and hit the cave several times, said Adrian Martinez, assistant section director for Digital
Delivery.
“When they did hit it, they realized how big it was, and eventually we sent cavers into it to map it and explore it,” Martinez said. “It ended up being more than 5.5 miles of passages.”
Inner Space Cavern opened to the public in 1966 and continues to offer tours and spelunking to the public in more than a mile of cave passages. TxDOT limited its recent survey work to three days a week on-site to allow public access tours to continue uninterrupted.
Loftis-Franklin said the survey crews were in the tunnels for so long, they would sometimes forget about the beauty around them until a tour of school kids would come through and remind them of the wonders of the cavern.
The team spent 18 days over four months for onsite surveying and scanning. Despite the survey taking place during the winter months, they were plenty warm in the cavern, which stays about 72 degrees and very humid year-round.
Because of the humidity, some survey instruments had to acclimate to the underground environment to recalibrate before they could be used effectively.
TxDOT land surveyors set up the cave’s known coordinates, developed a mapping system and performed precision scans of the cavern throughout the project.
“This required months of work from a land surveyor, a surveyorin-training and a survey intern,” said James Johnson, TxDOT Transportation Programs Support director. “It was a unique training opportunity for our two junior staff members who learned how to develop a mapping system for a challenging work site.”
TxDOT also took scans with a dog-shaped robot named Dot. Dot could be equipped with inspection and survey equipment, including a LiDAR scanner and helped capture scans in parts of the cavern that were difficult to reach.
Information technology specialists helped with data collection and engineering services with computer-aided drawing and survey, construction and mapping support.
The scans taken in the cavern created a digital twin of the cave’s passages, complete with ceiling heights and the lengths and widths of the tunnels.
The underground map was paired with its above-ground coordinates to pinpoint the exact location of the cavern underneath.
"Developing precise coordinates requires diligent application of technology and technique to ensure accurate data collection,” said Ronny Lackey, surveying section director.
“This is more difficult when you don't have access to global positioning systems or long sightlines in the caverns. Gina's mentorship of employees will give them the experience needed to perform projects like this in the future.”
When TxDOT completes the data extraction and mapping, the 3D model and its newly mapped coordinates will ensure the natural wonder of Inner Space Cavern stays protected for future generations to explore.
(This article is reprinted courtessy of TxDOT.)
A vintage photo shows a surveyor examining an unusual formation.
Space Cavern.
TxDOT surveyors set up equipment inside Inner Space Cavern.
The Worldwide Leader in Concrete Paving Technology
TxDOT Marks Major Progress On Multiple Projects in October
October was a month of remarkable momentum for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), as crews broke ground on major new projects, advanced ongoing construction and marked the end of an era for an iconic bridge.
I-35 NEX Central ProjectMilestoneReaches
In northeast San Antonio, one of the largest projects in the state — the $1.5 billion Interstate 35 NEX Central Project — passed the halfway mark this month. The project, now more than 60 percent complete, will add three elevated lanes (two general-purpose and one HOV) in each direction along a 20-mile stretch of I35.
Once finished, the new lanes will connect directly to Loop 410 North and Loop
1604 West, improving travel times for one of the state’s busiest corridors.
TxDOT estimates the project will reduce travel times by up to 48 percent between Farm-to-Market 3009 and Interstate 410 N once completed in late 2027.
Era Ends for Old Harbor Bridge in Corpus Christi
In Corpus Christi, October marked a bittersweet milestone — the lowering of the center span of the old Harbor Bridge, a structure that has connected communities for more than 60 years.
After several weather delays, TxDOT successfully lowered the massive steel span over the course of nine hours on Oct. 30. Residents gathered to watch the moment, many reflecting on the bridge’s place in local history.
Ground Broken On SH 71 Overpass in Bastrop County
In Cedar Creek, TxDOT and local leaders broke ground on a $58.5 million overpass project at Tucker Hill Lane.
The project is part of a larger, corridor-wide effort that will remove traffic signals on State Highway 71, allowing drivers to travel between Austin and Houston without encountering a signal.
The project includes new one-way frontage roads and pedestrian and bicycle accommodations — part of TxDOT’s push to improve
both mobility and safety in one of Central Texas’s fastest-growing regions. Construction is expected to wrap up in fall 2028.
TxDOT Reviews Grand Parkway Expansion
TxDOT officials hosted a town hall in League City to share updates on the Grand Parkway Section B-1 expansion, which will extend from Interstate 45 to south of Farm-to-Market 2403 in Alvin.
The $1.96 billion project will create a new 14-mi. controlled-access toll road with direct connectors to I-45 and State Highway 35.
Design work is scheduled to begin in 2026, with construction anticipated to start in 2027.
Having fulfilled its life cycle, the work also will include the removal and replacement of the existing SH 35 pavement within the construction limits.
19th Street Project in Lubbock Nears Completion
In Lubbock, TxDOT announced that work on 19th Street — a major east-west artery through the city — will be “substantially complete” by the end of 2025. Crews are finishing sidewalks, lighting and signal installations, and all lanes are expected to reopen by year’s end. The project has improved safety and mobility along one of Lubbock’s most traveled corridors. (This article is reprinted courtesy of TxDOT.)
Texas Department of Transportation photo
A worker sprays water on freshly poured concrete.
Construction Concludes On 26-Mi. Regional Rail Line
Note that 100,000 residents live within a mile of the train.
“With something like 400 new residents a day in the North Texas region, we can’t build more roads to get out of congestion; public transit is going to help serve those residents,” Molina said.
“It increases people’s options to travel around the entire region and helps them avoid going into downtown to travel back out,” said Ruben Landa of WSP (owner’s representative), who served as the deputy project manager over public engagement.
“Two of the big sells on this project are that it connects seven northern cities to DFW International Airport and the opportunities it creates for more commerce and economic development along the line, in each city and at the airport.”
The alignment where the Silver Line runs used to be the Cotton Belt Freight Rail District. In 1990, DART acquired the corridor once used by the freight rail district. The goal was to build what eventually became the Silver Line.
The Silver Line runs along a two-track system. The regional rail service, “… will share much of the rail corridor with freight operations (although no freight will ever traverse North Dallas or Addison).”
“A lot of freight rail activity happens in the night so that it doesn’t come into conflict with the operation of the system during the day.
“And it’s a two-track system, so that it makes it a little bit easier to have that condition. But yes. A freight rail line that was abandoned and now has been reactivated with the Silver Line,” Landa said.
Extension Schedule
Construction on the project began in 2018 and was scheduled to conclude in 2023. So, the project was in full swing when COVID hit. The pandemic, shutdowns, inflation, supply chain delays, etc., hit the project hard
and threw everything off.
“The opening date got moved twice; It was supposed to be in 2023, 2024, then it actually did in 2025,” Landa said. The delays and price increases in materials drove up the project’s cost.
Landa pointed to other challenges: the inability to get the railroad agreements in a timely fashion and acquire property contributed to construction delays and price escalation.
Another challenge the project team dealt with was local political opposition. Because of the opposition, significant misinformation was circulating in the community. DART took multiple steps to counter misinformation and gain community support.
“We used geofencing to tag every smartphone and device that goes in the area to send ads,” Landa said. “The ads were facts
about the project so people could be educated about what was really happening.”
The team also engaged directly with the community. “We had numerous community events to make sure everyone understood what was going on,” Molina said. “We also created a website to answer questions about what was going on.”
Noise was a primary concern for area residents. The system includes the newest technology, and the trains are super quiet. The hybrid system is diesel- and electric-powered and doesn’t require an overhead catenary system.
Due to the implementation of quiet zones at every intersection along the 26-mi. alignment, trains do not use their bells or whistles; horns are used only for safety purposes.
Another way DART is minimizing the noise around the tracks is by installing 200,000 sq. ft. of sound walls. They are part of a $50 million betterment program.
Active, Phase Two
The Silver Line became active in October 2025. The first week, it had 6,000 riders. DART projects there will be an average of 3,100 riders per week in the future.
As part of the project construction, a 26mi. regional trail network also was constructed, with phase one completed so far. Although the train is up and running, work continues. The team, led by the Archer Western Herzog Consortium, is working on phase two.
During this phase, the team is building additional sections of the trail along the train route. The team expected to complete phase two in 2027.
Funding for phase three is under way. The trail will align with a regional trail. The team also is building a maintenance facility in Plano to house the trains.
Finally, one last major element of the project involves the construction of massive arches over U.S. 75 in Richardson.
DART projects $1.1 billion in economic development over the next 25 years due to the Silver Line.
With the Silver Line up and running, DART has increased accessibility for Dallas and its northern suburbs.
DART from page 1
Silver Line project.
Workers construct a station along the new Silver Line.
Silver Line’s Second Phase Under Way, Adding New Sections
“The arches will serve as a gateway into the city,” Landa said.
With the Silver Line up and running, DART has increased accessibility for Dallas and its northern suburbs. Residents traveling around the area and to the airport will have a public transportation option. The economic opportunities around the new regional rail service are exciting and will help grow the cities along the line.
Some Numbers
Here are some numbers associated with the project.
• 6,523,232 total man-hours needed to design, construct and manage the delivery of the project
• Number of pedestrian bridges: 7
• Number of guideway bridges: 34
• Number of rail crossings: 49
• Number of noise/betterment walls: 61
• Number of new stations added: 12
• Tons of ballast: 360
• Number of concrete ties: 148,000
• Square footage of walls: 22,250 lineal ft.
• Number of park and rides: 9
• Number of parking spaces: 3,50
• Number of track-ft.: 322,835 (61 m.)
Finances
DART expected to proceed on the Silver Line Project in the 2030s. However, DART was able to move the project forward. Securing funding for the $2.01 billion project (the original budget was $1.26 billion, rising to $1.69 billion before settling on the final amount) was challenging.
DART was able to advance the project by securing a close to a billion-dollar RIF loan from the Federal Railroad Administration. By securing the low-interest loan, which DART will pay back after the system is in operation, DART was able to proceed earlier than initially anticipated. CEG (All photos courtesy of WPS.)
DART from page 18
There were 6,000 riders on the Silver Line its first week.
March (issue 5) Excavators and Attachments
April (issue 7) Paving, Compaction and Milling
May (issue 9) Skid Steers, CTLs, Mini & Compact Equipment
June (issue 11) Attachments
July (issue 13) Electric Equipment
August (issue 15) Wheel Loaders, Tool Carriers & Attachments
August (issue 17) Backhoes and Attachments
September (issue 19) Utilities: Trenching, Compressors, Generators and Light Towers
October (issue 21) Off-Road Trucks, Dumpers & Mining Equipment
November (issue 23) Dozers, Crawler Loaders
December (issue 25) Trailers
TEXAS STATE SUPPLEMENT ADVERTISER INDEX
GMW JCB Celebrates Opening of All-New Donna Dealership
GMW JCB hosted a grand opening celebration on Nov. 14, 2025, for its all-new dealership facility in Donna, Texas.
Guests enjoyed live JCB equipment demonstrations, guided tours of the 57,600sq.-ft. facility and the opportunity to meet the GMW JCB team over light refreshments. The event marks the opening of GMW JCB’s expansive new hub 717 W Expressway 83 for equipment sales, rentals, service and parts across the Rio Grande Valley.
The event highlighted the company’s continued investment in supporting hardworking customers with innovative machinery solutions and world-class support.
TGMW JCB said the new Donna facility is a benchmark for equipment dealerships in South Texas, built from the ground up with customer service and efficiency at its core.
Key features include:
• an 80-ft. paint booth;
• two drive-through service bays with pits for streamlined maintenance;
• a meter speedy lane with advanced diagnostics;
• three overhead cranes for heavy-lift capacity;
JCB
dealership facility in
• a two-story, 9,000-sq.-ft. office building for enhanced support and collaboration;
• a 5,000-sq.-ft. parts warehouse, stocked to minimize downtime; and
• a 4.5-acre concrete exhibit yard for showcasing JCB’s full equipment lineup. For more information, contact GMW JCB at 956/335-5000 or visit gmwjcb.com.
Applications Open for Annual Cat Lift Trucks Scholarship
Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas, the exclusive manufacturer of Cat lift trucks across North, Central and South America, is now accepting applications for its 22nd Annual Cat Lift Trucks Scholarship Program.
The initiative continues its tradition of recognizing a Houston-area high-school senior who has gone above and beyond in their academics and community service and is interested in pursuing a four-year degree related to the material handling industry. The chosen recipient will be awarded a $5,000 scholarship to support their pursuit of higher education.
“With education and forward-thinking at the core of progress in our industry, we’re proud to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of the Cat Lift Trucks Scholarship Program,” said Berry Mansfield, president of Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas. “These young students will pioneer the way forward in our industry, further pushing the boundaries of the material handling, automation, and fleet solutions landscape.”
Since its launch in 2005, the Cat Lift Trucks Scholarship program has awarded a cumulative $150,000 in educational assistance to 29 outstanding students from the greater Houston
area. Past recipients have gone on to enroll in prestigious Texas universities and colleges, including Texas A&M University, The University of Texas at Austin, University of Houston and Texas State Technical College, pursuing degrees in diverse fields, such as mechanical and chemical engineering, welding technology and entrepreneurship.
Selection criteria include academic performance, community service involvement, leadership abilities and financial need.
Cat lift trucks will announce the winner of the 2026 scholarship during the annual Houston livestock Show and Rodeo, scheduled to take place from March 2-26, 2026, in Houston.
How to Apply
Applications for the 2026 Cat Lift Trucks scholarship must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. CST on Jan. 23. Applicants must be from a Houston-area school district and plan to enroll in a college, university or technical school in Texas focusing on engineering or a business-oriented or technical trade field related to the material handling industry. For more information, visit logisnextamericas.com/en/cat/cat-lift-trucks-scholarship.
GMW JCB photo
GMW
employees cut the ribbon at the all-new
Donna.
LSR Equipment Enterprise
Specialized machines for waste
Waste Management
Top quality for top performance
Bane Machinery is a family owned and operated business that offers heavy machinery sales, rentals, parts, and service. We are proud to offer Liebherr equipment with full service including preventative maintenance and warranty up to OEM standards.
Liebherr machines are custom-engineered to perform efficiently. From material handling to waste management, these machines showcase a range of what’s possible.
Contact us today to find the right solution for your project application.
