City Leaders Push For New Underground DART Line
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DALLAS (CBS11) - The debate over the location of DART's proposed second downtown Dallas line took a turn this week and maybe headed underground.
Six Dallas City Council members publicly voiced support this week for pushing the downtown line underground.
For years much of the debate of the second downtown DART line has focused on which street route is best. Now many city leaders say the best option may not even be at street level.
DART officials, however; say changing course now and pursuing an underground option could be risky.
DART would have to reapply for federal funding, and DART warns that could jeopardize the federal funding for an above ground line and leave the downtown waiting for another cycle of federal funds.
"I think the biggest win would be if we could find the money and do the subway today," said downtown business owner Tanya Ragan. "But if it boils down to having to wait the unknown of what might happen in the future, I think people are going to choose the now."
Ragan said the southeast section of Dallas from City Hall to the Farmers Market area to Deep Ellum is in need of a DART line.
DART's executive director told the Dallas City Council this week he would work with federal officials to look into the viability of putting the proposed downtown line underground.
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