Connecting Communities: DART Silver Line Brings North Texas Together

North Texas commuters have entered a new era of rail travel. The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Silver Line — a 26-mile regional rail corridor stretching from Plano to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) — is now open, bringing faster, greener and more connected journeys across seven cities. With stations designed to reflect local character and a focus on sustainable growth, the Silver Line is redefining how the region moves. 

The Silver Line represents a pivotal investment in North Texas’ future, improving mobility, accessibility and system linkages across seven cities: Grapevine, Coppell, Dallas, Carrollton, Addison, Richardson and Plano. Designed to connect major employment centers and population hubs, the corridor supports sustainable growth and regional land-use visions while enhancing economic development opportunities.

Jacobs served as principal design consultant to the Archer Western–Herzog Design-Build Joint Venture, guiding every detail of this $2.1 billion program. The multidisciplinary team delivered preliminary and final design that integrates seamlessly with DART’s Orange, Green and Red lines, as well as Trinty Metro’s TEXRail.

Bringing east-to-west rail connectivity to North Texas

Spanning 26 miles, the project includes ten stations and 40 structures featuring complex superstructure types such as thru-girders and prestressed girders, paired with substructures tailored to navigate dense urban environments. Jacobs delivered solutions to overcome clearance and alignment challenges, including two signature aesthetic arches in Richardson and Midway, an ornamental truss and bridges integrated with noise walls in Addison for urban compatibility.

From energy-efficient station systems to landscape strategies that enhance resilience, every element was considered through the lens of environmental stewardship and long-term community benefit. 

Stations that reflect community identity

At the heart of the Silver Line experience are its ten stations, each designed to convey a sense of place and neighborhood character. Jacobs developed prototypes for both side and center platform stations, creating a flexible design framework that communities could adapt to their local context.

Working closely with station-area stakeholders and local artists, the team incorporated architectural finishes, landscaping and public art that celebrate the unique identity of each city along the route. From Addison’s vibrant urban aesthetic to Grapevine’s historic charm, every station tells a story of connection and pride.

As DART’s first east-to-west commuter rail line, the Silver Line is providing residents and employees across the region with a safer, cleaner and faster connection to DFW Airport — addressing growing demand for reliable transit options in one of the nation’s fastest-growing corridors.