Train News

Firetruck crash in downtown Dallas shuts down freeway traffic and DART trains

Crews work on removing downed sign on I-345 at Live Oak Street.

TXDOT

A crash on a major freeway in downtown Dallas has tied up transportation in and out of downtown including public transit.

UPDATE 7-22-2024: DART advises that customers can expect substantial delays on Monday July 22, likely extending into the afternoon rush hour depending on the extent of the repairs needed.
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According to a release from Dallas Area Rapid Transit, early on the morning of July 21, a crash occurred on I-345 near South Good Latimer Expressway, in which a fire engine fell from the highway onto the DART tracks below.

An overhead sign bridge at Live Oak was struck and collapsed onto the highway, blocking all lanes on the southbound side.

The entire IH345 Southbound overhead is currently closed, and TxDOT officials say that the closure will likely last all day.

Four Dallas firefighters were transported to Baylor University Medical Center, and are in stable condition.

Portions of South Good Latimer Expressway, and Routh Street, were also closed, and DART rail services lost power, shutting down trains through the Central Business District.

For those still trying to take public transportation through Dallas, DART has established "bus bridges" at the following locations:

Cityplace/Uptown
Deep Ellum
Pearl/Arts District
West End
EBJ/UnionVictory

These bus shuttles will service the stations listed above in place of the usual lightrail service and will help passengers make connections to lightrail trains.

The crash resulted in severe damage to the DART system which will take a significant amount of time to repair.

Moreover, Dallas Police Officials are investigating the crash, which means that DART cannot immediately begin the repairs to fully restore service.

During this time, passengers should expect significant delays and should be mindful of signage and directions from DART personnel.

Airport News

Low-cost Avelo Air begins flights out of Dallas-Fort Worth Airport

Avelo Airlines

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A new airline is launching service at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport: Avelo Airlines, a low-priced carrier based in Houston, will begin direct flights between DFW and Tweed-New Haven Airport in Connecticut.

According to a release, the service will run twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays. They'll be nonstop flights, with ticket prices starting at $89. Service will begin on March 7.

“This service makes visiting Southern Connecticut, and everything the greater New England and New York regions have to offer, easier than ever. We also look forward to making DFW’s thriving culinary scene, sports mecca and vibrant nightlife a fast and seamless journey for Connecticut travelers,” says Avelo founder and CEO Andrew Levy in a statement.

The new service is one of five that the airline will add in 2025 to beef up its presence in Connecticut, which includes four new nonstop routes from Southern Connecticut’s Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN) and a third international destination from Hartford’s Bradley International Airport (BDL).

In addition to DFW Airport, other nonstop service from HVN will go to Jacksonville, Florida, Detroit, and Portland, Maine. The addition of these five new destinations will bring Avelo to 39 routes from Connecticut — 31 routes from HVN and 8 routes from BDL. Low introductory one-way fares start at $39.

Avelo was founded in 2018 and began flying in 2021. They currently fly to 54 cities in 24 states and Puerto Rico, as well as three international destinations to Jamaica, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. They focus on flying unserved routes between under-served communities, primarily out of smaller airports. Although DFW Airport is by no means a smaller airport.

They made their service debut in Texas in spring 2024 with flights out of Houston's Hobby Airport.

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