Fort Worth is gearing up for a significant overhaul of University Drive, with enhancements that directly impact both motorists and pedestrians in the area surrounding the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. The planned improvements, aimed at updating pedestrian and traffic infrastructure, are a hot topic for local residents who will get to hear the specifics at an upcoming public meeting.
Key details of the ambitious project include the addition of a new 6-foot-wide sidewalk on University Drive's west side, four revamped bus stops, and two new trails to seamlessly connect bus commuters to Trinity Park. A pair of traffic signals are also set to make their debut at University Drive's intersections with Rock Springs Road and Botanic Garden Drive. To usher in these upgrades, a total of 5.101 acres will be repurposed from Botanic Garden Park and Trinity Park. The plan also includes nitty-gritty details like medians and curbs, alongside fresh pavement and striping for University Drive, flanked by additional greenery and sprinkler systems, according to the City of Fort Worth.
This phase of development doesn't come without its trade-offs. The city forester has marked 11 trees for removal to clear the way for these improvements. However, no trails or park roadways will face closure during construction, which aims to start come June 2026 and span approximately nine months. An assurance has been made that the parks in question will be restored to their former glory, if not improved upon, once construction wraps up.
Those interested in the finer points of the project have an open invitation to the public meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 200 Texas St. It's an opportunity for the community to actively engage with the forthcoming changes and provide input on a project that promises to mold the area's future aesthetic and functional landscape.
