MK Centennial led a team of consultants that provided project management, systems specifications and preliminary design, construction management, and assistance with systems start-up and testing. The systems included traction electrification, fare collection, signal and communications systems. Additionally, specifications were developed for a LRT vehicle with a futuristic appearance that is capable of 93-miles per hour and is one of the largest and fastest LRT vehicles that is operating in North America. LTK Engineering and T.K. Dyer, Inc. were principal subconsultants. The self-service fare collection system is easy to use with ticket vending machines located at all twenty stations.
Free transfers are available between bus and rail.
Starter system construction began during October 1990 with the award of a contract for the relocation of a downtown street. Major line section work did not begin until early 1992, when the construction of two principal civil works contracts began. After the award of these two major civil works contracts, DART moved ahead with other major line sections. The first section of the West Oak Cliff Line was under construction before the end of 1992, while the construction of a central business district segment and vehicle service and inspection facility, that is sited at the old Santa Fe Yard in Dallas, began in early 1993. The balance of the West Oak Cliff Line and the first of two South Oak Cliff Line sections also began before the end of 1993.