TEXAS - Money from the State Highway 121 tolling agreement is boosting multiple Denton-area transportation projects, including a planned commuter rail line to Carrollton.

The Regional Transportation Council last week approved the allocation of $2.5 billion for transportation projects in Denton, Collin, Dallas and Tarrant counties. The projects are the latest to receive funding from the North Texas Tollway Authority's $3.3 billion payment for the right to build and operate State Highway 121 as a toll road.

Denton County projects received about $825.5 million in the latest payout, which will occur in phases.

The total includes $191 million for the Denton County Transportation Authority's 21-mile regional rail system, which will link Denton to the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system in Carrollton.

"That completes the funding that's required for us to open the line from Denton to Carrollton," said Scott Neeley, DCTA's executive vice president of rail development. "We're really excited about it."

DCTA is working to bring rail service to Denton by December 2010.

The transportation council previously approved $57 million from the Highway 121 deal to help DCTA buy 12 rail cars for the project.