DART Rail Orange Line Opens New Possibilities in Irving

Station Art Reflects the Community

DART’s growing collection of public art adds three new displays with the opening of the Orange Line. The award-winning Station Art & Design Program creates site-specific works that both acknowledge the surroundings and assert themselves as a new contribution. As a result, DART stations become vibrant public spaces and not just transit stops.

A local advisory committee works with planners, architects and engineers at the earliest stages of station design, and later gives input to the station artist about themes and materials, to ensure the station reflects the history and culture of the community it serves. Art is then integrated into the design of column claddings, platform pavers, windscreens and landscaping. Information about the entire DART public art collection, along with photos of many of the pieces, is available online at www.DART.org/PublicArt.

Rail Stations Rebranded; Northwest Plano Park and Ride Opens

In addition to the Orange Line’s numerous bus and rail changes, three stations were renamed and a new park and ride lot opened in Plano, the second-largest city in DART’s service area.

Rail stations near the Dallas Arts District, Uptown Dallas and Irving’s historic downtown Heritage Crossing took the names of their adjacent destinations as part of the first station renaming since rail service began in 1996. Pearl Station became Pearl/Arts District Station; Cityplace Station changed to Cityplace/Uptown Station; and the TRE’s South Irving Station became the Downtown Irving/Heritage Crossing Station.

Location-specific station names make it easier for riders to navigate DART. And strengthening the relationship between the DART stop and the destination increases the appeal of the community to developers.

Also on July 30, DART opened the new Northwest Plano Park & Ride, located near the headquarters of several major corporations, including JCPenney, Frito-Lay, Pizza Hut, Dr Pepper Snapple and Ericsson. Seven routes serve the facility, including a new express, rush-hour service to downtown Dallas. Commuters from West Plano, as well as points north, now enjoy an efficient commute downtown, while reverse commuters, from the southern parts of the DART Service Area, gain a direct link north to this vibrant employment center.