Introduction to North Texas Transportation
Dallas-Fort Worth’s transportation needs will continue to grow alongside its population in the coming years, according to industry leaders, and regional cooperation will be key to keeping residents on the move. Transportation leaders from across the region gathered at the 2025 Infrastructure Summit in Irving to discuss what’s working, and what isn’t, in North Texas. Top of mind for speakers from the Texas Department of Transportation and local transit agencies such as Dallas Area Rapid Transit and Trinity Metro was moving North Texas forward with its number of residents expected to grow to 12 million by 2050.
With more than 80% of Texans commuting via automobile, roadway maintenance and expansion is key, TxDOT leaders said. Proposition 1 and Proposition 7, ballot measures in 2014 and 2015, respectively, have increased funding to the agency over the past decade. However, projections in TxDOT’s 2050 long-range transportation plan show available funds still will fall well short of what’s required to combat increasing congestion.
“That $100 million UTP [unified transportation plan] that we have now for a 10-year period, by 2035 really needs to be doubled. It needs to be about $200 million UTP to meet the needs of the state,” TxDOT executive director Brian Barth said last week. “So we really need to start having that serious conversation with the legislature and building some momentum for what can we do to meet those needs in Texas, because they are needs right now.”
Aging infrastructure such as Interstate 345 in Dallas — which is planned for reconstruction — is costing the state “more and more every day” to maintain, Dallas District engineer Ceason Clemens said. But reconstruction projects are increasingly expensive, too, given the inflationary costs of building materials and labor.
Challenges Facing North Texas Transportation
The main challenge facing North Texas transportation is the increasing population and the need for more efficient transportation systems. With the population expected to grow to 12 million by 2050, the transportation system needs to be able to accommodate this growth. However, the current transportation system is facing several challenges, including aging infrastructure, increasing congestion, and limited funding.
Another challenge facing North Texas transportation is the lack of regional cooperation. With several different transit agencies and local governments, it can be difficult to coordinate efforts and create a comprehensive transportation plan. However, regional cooperation is essential to creating a transportation system that can meet the needs of the growing population.
The Importance of Public Transportation
Public transportation can offer alternatives to decrease roadway congestion and reduce demands on Texas’ highway system. Denton County Transit Authority has seen unprecedented growth in ridership by investing in data about where to deploy different kinds of resources, such as microtransit or fixed-route, DCTA CEO Paul Cristina said. With some member cities wanting to claw back funding from Dallas Area Rapid Transit, the future of Texas’ largest transit agency is being questioned at a time of rapid population growth.
Strategies such as leaning into development around rail stations can help cities leverage more value out of their investments, officials say. Between 2020 and 2023, Grapevine saw a surge in real estate values and economic activity around its transit stations, according to Rich Andreski, president and CEO of Fort Worth’s Trinity Metro. “It helps us because we’re able to generate more interest in people riding the system and accessing the system.
Expanding Services and Regional Cooperation
Expanding services that connect North Texas residents across cities will be central to leveraging the full power of transit to move people with greater efficiency, DCTA’s Cristina said. That includes plans to optimize the A-train which runs from Denton to Carrollton’s Trinity Mills station, where it connects with the DART Green Line. Work to make the train faster, increase frequency and expand service two miles into downtown Carrollton should enter the design and build stage sometime in 2027, Cristina said.
Transit 2.0, a study examining how transportation investment could help the region meet growing demand, is exploring how to leverage shared assets to make regional transit more accessible for a rapidly expanding population. The framework includes methods for increasing cooperation, funding and efficiency of transit as demand outstrips current roadway capacity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, North Texas transportation is facing several challenges, including increasing population, aging infrastructure, and limited funding. However, by investing in public transportation and expanding services, the region can create a more efficient transportation system. Regional cooperation is essential to creating a comprehensive transportation plan that can meet the needs of the growing population. By working together, North Texas can create a transportation system that is efficient, reliable, and meets the needs of its residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the main challenge facing North Texas transportation?
A: The main challenge facing North Texas transportation is the increasing population and the need for more efficient transportation systems.
Q: Why is public transportation important?
A: Public transportation can offer alternatives to decrease roadway congestion and reduce demands on Texas’ highway system.
Q: What is Transit 2.0?
A: Transit 2.0 is a study examining how transportation investment could help the region meet growing demand, and is exploring how to leverage shared assets to make regional transit more accessible for a rapidly expanding population.
Q: Why is regional cooperation important?
A: Regional cooperation is essential to creating a comprehensive transportation plan that can meet the needs of the growing population.
