Travelers heading through Richardson may have noticed an increase in activity lately at rail crossings, as Kansas City Southern is diverting freight traffic from an east-west portion of the Cotton Belt Freight Line on the northern edge of the city (between Waterview Parkway and US 75), to instead head southeast on the KCS “spur” through Richardson. The diversion is needed to keep freight traffic from running alongside the DART Silver Line construction zone, helping to expedite Silver Line work. Five weekly additional trains will run through Richardson for the next nine months, mainly at night.
The 26-mile DART Silver Line will extend between DFW Airport and east Plano, including Richardson stations at UT Dallas and CityLine/Bush. Silver Line service is projected to begin in late 2024.
