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Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s (DART) 45-mile Green, Orange and Blue Line light-rail expansion is projected to generate more than $4 billion in economic activity between 2009 and 2014, according to a study recently released by University of North Texas economists.

The study also determined the projects will create an average of 6,400 jobs annually during the next five years, while ongoing operations at DART will generate $663 million in annual economic activity and more than 5,300 jobs.

The study is the latest evidence that transit can help “sustain and strengthen communities, particularly during tough economic times,” said DART President and Executive Director Gary Thomas in a prepared statement.

DART plans to double its system to 90 miles by 2013. The heart of the project is the 20-station Green Line — the first three-mile section is scheduled to open Sept. 14 and the remaining 25 miles are projected to open in December 2010.

Construction also is under way on the first nine miles of a new Orange Line, which is expected to open in 2011 and be extended to DFW International Airport by 2013. DART also is building a five-mile extension of the Blue Line that’s scheduled to open in 2012.

The projects are expected to add 60,000 weekday passenger trips to DART’s ridership.