On July 30, 2012, the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) marked a significant milestone with the inauguration of the eagerly awaited Orange Line extension to Irving-Las Colinas. This inauguration unveiled the first phase of the Orange Line, encompassing a 5.4-mile stretch from Bachman Station to Irving Convention Center Station. The expansion aimed to provide convenient connectivity to various domains such as arts, education, entertainment, and businesses. The new segment brought the addition of three fresh stations - University of Dallas, Las Colinas Urban Center, and Irving Convention Center - to the growing DART rail network.
Following this initial accomplishment, December of 2012 witnessed further progress as two more stations were introduced, extending deeper into Irving and drawing closer to the prominent DFW International Airport. This phase of expansion extended the $1.3 billion Orange Line by nearly four miles, culminating in new stops at North Lake College and Belt Line Road, situated on DFW Airport premises. The extension's key purpose was to propel the Orange Line's trajectory towards its final stop at DFW Airport, facilitating seamless transportation for passengers from various corners of the Dallas region to one of the nation's busiest air travel hubs.
A significant advancement took place on April 9, 2021, as DART celebrated the inauguration of the Hidden Ridge Station at Carpenter Ranch in Irving-Las Colinas. This noteworthy achievement marked the establishment of the 65th station within the extensive DART network. Developed through a collaborative effort between the City of Irving and Verizon Communications, the station's strategic placement on the Orange Line, nestled between North Lake College and Irving Convention Center stations, aimed to enhance accessibility and convenience for commuters.
Fast forward to Saturday, August 12th, where DART commemorated a notable milestone - four decades of dedicated service to the DFW metroplex.
