Plans to extend Fort Worth’s TEXRail line are moving ahead, with Trinity Metro authorizing a revised construction contract that marks an early step toward building a 2.1-mile extension to the city’s Medical District.
The Fort Worth Report confirms that the agency’s board approved amendments to its construction manager-at-risk contract with Fort Worth Transit Partners, first authorized in June 2023. The updated agreement totals nearly $33.1 million and includes a revised contingency to account for potential cost increases.
Richey Thompson, Trinity Metro’s chief engineer, said that the action signals the practical start of the project.
“Today’s item is basically the initial step for Trinity Metro to start the construction and completion of the TEXRail extension project. … We’re getting closer,” Thompson said, as reported by the Fort Worth Report.
Thompson said the contract will be divided into two phases.
The first covers long-lead procurement items under a Guaranteed Maximum Price, including steel and specialized track work, while the second phase will address remaining construction elements.
The proposed extension would run from the T&P Station downtown to the 2100 block of Mistletoe Boulevard near Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center – Fort Worth.
In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded Trinity Metro a $25 million RAISE grant to support the project, which carries an estimated total cost of more than $167 million, according to federal grant documents. The agency is still seeking up to $20 million to begin construction, and no start date has been set.
The expansion discussion comes as TEXRail ridership continues to rise. According to The Fort Worth Report, the line recorded more than 877,000 passenger trips in 2025, a nearly 12% increase over the previous year. The 27.2-mile line recently gained new riders through its connection with Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s Silver Line, which launched Oct. 25.
Rich Andreski, Trinity Metro president and CEO, said total system ridership surpassed 8 million trips in 2025, reflecting the agency’s broader goals.
“Yes, we do move people on various services, but it is really about powering our economy, providing access to jobs and other (opportunities) in Fort Worth and Tarrant County,” Andreski said.
Trinity Metro officials say they remain confident additional funding can be secured, keeping the long-planned Medical District extension on track, even as final timelines are still being determined.
