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DCTA presents Downtown Carrollton A‑Train extension plan and a $122M working estimate, warns of a possible $21M–$52M funding gap
Summary
DCTA briefed council on designs to extend the A‑Train 2 miles to Downtown Carrollton, near‑term speed improvements to be built this summer, a $122M working cost estimate and a variable funding gap depending on grant awards and alignment choices.
DCTA officials told the Carrollton City Council on June 23 that design work is underway for a two‑mile extension of the A‑Train from Trinity Mills Station into Downtown Carrollton and that a package of near‑term speed and curve improvements is expected to go to construction this summer.
A DCTA presenter summarized concurrent work streams: (1) a summer contract to implement speed improvements on existing track under a grant that must be executed this season, (2) analysis of freight/train operating scenarios and whether the A‑Train and short‑line freight operator (DGNO) can run concurrently on the same track, and (3) design of the Downtown Carrollton extension, including station siting and potential alignment choices.
The agency presented a working cost estimate of about $122 million for the Downtown extension. According to the briefing, the funding snapshot included a discretionary BUILD grant application for $31 million, a regional commitment of $65 million and $11 million of local funds already pledged by DCTA; together, grant outcomes will determine the remaining gap. DCTA said that if the BUILD grant and other discretionary grants align, the remaining shortfall could be about $21 million; in a less favorable grant scenario, the deficit could be larger.
DCTA’s design team noted a large water main near the proposed Downtown Carrollton station and said utility coordination will shape alignment choices. Officials also flagged a technical interoperability issue: building a second track in a western alignment would avoid costly changes to positive train control (PTC), but using the existing alignment could require PTC modifications and an additional ~$30 million.
The agency presented alternatives if full track interoperability cannot be achieved immediately, including designing bus bridging after 10 p.m. to preserve late‑night connectivity without incurring PTC costs. DCTA emphasized that several grants are pending and that grant awards will dictate timing and the ability to run later service or achieve a 15‑minute ultimate frequency.
Councilors asked about grant expirations and the near‑term timeline; DCTA said a $3 million grant for curve/speed improvements requires execution this summer to avoid expiry and said the BUILD grant outcome is expected soon. DCTA will return as design and funding clarity progress.
No council vote was taken; the briefing was informational and intended to gather council input and clarify local coordination requirements and potential funding gaps.
