Big news for bike and hike trail enthusiasts in Far North Dallas: City Council Member Cara Mendelsohn has heralded a major funding victory for District 12. According to the City of Dallas, federal funds have been secured through the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) to propel vital trail connections in the area.
The highly anticipated Cotton Belt Trail, which was initially expected to rely on piecemeal funding from various cities and could have stalled Dallas's contribution for years, is now ready to hit the ground running with these newfound resources. Set to begin construction next month and designed to accompany the DART Silver Line railway, the trail is projected to span a generous 26 miles from Plano to DFW Airport, then joining Tarrant County's trails to Fort Worth. Working alongside the challenges posed by rail construction, this development is anticipated to be both a gem for locals and a boon for commuters.
As per the City of Dallas, Councilwoman Mendelsohn expressed relief and excitement about the intercity collaborative efforts that paved the way for the trail's funding, "We were told each city along the Silver Line would have to fund its portion of the trail project, but we worked together to get funding." The RTC's intervention not only accelerates the trail's realization but also saves Dallas close to $7 million and contributes to completing trails in the district's master plan, including the final unfunded segment of the Cotton Belt Trail and the Marni Kaner Trail's missing link.
