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As Congress continues to debate an economic stimulus package that's likely to include a significant chunk of change for infrastructure investment, public transportation advocates are touting transit rail's economic benefits. The latest case in point: Dallas Area Rapid Transit's (DART) Green Line, which so far has created more than 2,200 jobs, according to the agency.

The 28-mile line also is attracting transit-oriented development. DART began construction on the $1.8 billion project in summer 2006, after obtaining a $700 million Full Funding Grant Agreement from the Federal Transit Administration. The first segment of the line between downtown Dallas and Fair Park is scheduled to open in September; the second phase between Pleasant Grove, Farmers Branch and Carrollton is scheduled to open in December 2010.

DART expects to generate even more jobs in the near future. Later this month, the agency will launch construction on the Orange Line between northwest Dallas, and Irving, Texas and DFW Airport, and the Blue Line extension from Garland to Rowlett. DART also currently is conducting the Downtown Dallas Transit Study, and plans to build a second rail line through the Dallas Central Business District by 2014. In addition, the agency is planning a Blue Line extension from Ledbetter Station to UNT-Dallas, scheduled to open in 2018.