Frequently Asked Questions
(En espaņol)
What is the Trinity River Corridor Project?
What is included?
Who is paying for the project?
Did the City increase taxes to pay for the project?
What is the Dallas Floodway Extension project?
What lakes could be built in the Dallas Floodway?
What uses are expected for the lakes?
What recreational amenities are planned along the river?
What is the Trinity Parkway?
How will there be access into the parks with the Trinity Parkway in place?
What are the so-called "signature bridges"?
Were signature bridges included in the original cost?
What is the status of the Elm Fork project initiatives that are part of the overall Trinity River Corridor Project?
How are economic development and neighborhood revitalization issues being addressed?
Has the Trinity River Corridor Project received any grants or special recognition from other organizations?
What has been done so far?
What is the Trinity River Corridor Project?
The citizens of Dallas voted to enhance the quality of life for this and future generations by approving the capital bond program for the Trinity River Corridor Project in 1998.
Here are the main benefits:
- The Dallas Floodway Extension will increase flood protection for about 12,500 structures in southern Dallas and near downtown.
- Citizens and visitors will be able to enjoy recreational amenities, such as hiking, biking and equestrian trails, new parks, lakes and interpretive center.
- Environmental benefits will include land acquisition that will preserve about 3,500 acres in the Great Trinity Forest and wetlands construction, which will improve floodwater conveyance and wildlife habitats.
- Transportation improvements will provide relief from traffic congestion in the downtown area.
Economic development and neighborhood revitalization is expected to flourish in the areas adjacent to the project.
What is included?
The Trinity River Corridor Project is made up of several distinct elements. The overall effort will include:
- The building of levees, wetlands, downtown lakes, gateway parks, trails, equestrian centers, and an interpretive center.
- The expansion and preservation of the Great Trinity Forest through the acquisition of 3,500 acres of land along the Trinity River.
- Transportation improvements including the Trinity Parkway and the Woodall Rodgers Extension Bridge.
Who is paying for the project?
The City of Dallas is paying for the $246 million bond program, approved by voters in May 1998. State, federal and other agencies are providing additional funds totaling approximately $1 billion.
Did the City increase taxes to pay for the project?
No.
What is the Dallas Floodway Extension project?
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be constructing a flood control project along the Trinity River that will reduce the flooding risk for about 12,500 structures in Dallas. The Dallas Floodway Extension (DFE) Project will restore Standard Project Flood (800-year) protection to the downtown Dallas vicinity while extending the same protection to the densely populated areas along the southern Trinity River corridor. The DFE Project will be comprised of the Cadillac Heights Levee, the Lamar Levee, a Chain of Wetlands, and a river realignment at Interstate 45. (The Chain of Wetlands will help to improve floodwater conveyance and to develop a wildlife habitat.) Other components of the project include recreational amenities and environmental mitigation.
These physical features of the project will be located between Loop 12 and the downstream end of the existing Dallas Floodway at the DART Bridge. Environmental mitigation lands will extend to the Interstate 20 vicinity. The DFE Project is estimated to cost about $140 million and be completed in 2010.
What lakes could be built in the Dallas Floodway?
The 1999 Master Implementation Plan was modified in December 2003 by City Council for the Dallas Floodway due to a collaborative effort among urban design consultants, CDM (engineering firm of Camp, Dresser & McKee) and City Staff. The two off-channel lakes would be located near the East Levee (downtown side) between the Continental St. Viaduct and the Corinth St. Viaduct, while the river channel would be relocated towards the West Levee (Oak Cliff side) of the Dallas Floodway to bypass everyday normal river flows around the lakes. The northern lake (called the Urban Lake) is about 90 acres in size, while the connecting southern lake (Natural Lake) is about 60 acres in size. A future 180-acre off-channel West Dallas Lake is proposed for the vicinity of Westmoreland and adjacent to the West Levee near West Dallas.
What uses are expected for the lakes?
White Rock Lake and Bachman Lake. Such uses and limitations include boating/sailing, paddleboats, fishing, but no swimming. The Urban Lake would include a promenade and have an emphasis on aesthetics. The Natural Lake would have wetland and natural edge treatments. The transition between the two lakes would occur through a three-foot elevation difference, which would facilitate a water feature (water fall, etc). The reverse flow of the two lakes (south to north) will allow for a user-friendly four-mile boat loop that will eliminate the need for transportation back to vehicles. In addition, the 17-foot elevation drop for the Urban Lake discharge point to the Trinity River may facilitate a significant white-water boating facility that could be reviewed from the Continental Street Viaduct, which is planned to be a pedestrian-only bridge.
What recreational amenities are planned along the river?
The 1999 Master Implementation Plan recommends hard and soft surface trails, gateway parks, four boat launches, access points to the Great Trinity Forest, a Trinity Interpretive Center and two equestrian centers. In addition, modifications to the 1999 Master Implementation Plan for the Dallas Floodway will allow for river meandering, in-channel riffle-pool sequences, quality tree plantings along the river, and potential whitewater boating.
What is the Trinity Parkway?
The Trinity Parkway is a toll road being planned to relieve traffic congestion downtown. It is a joint project of the City of Dallas, the Texas Department of Transportation and the North Texas Tollway Authority. Various alignments are currently being evaluated for the Parkway, which would extend from the State Highway 183 and Interstate 35 merge down to State Highway 175 and Interstate 45 in southern Dallas. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement is expected to be available to the public by late 2004 and a final alignment should be determined by the City Council in early 2004.
How will there be access into the parks with the Trinity Parkway in place?
The parkway design will provide for access to the parks through various park gateways and access points along the corridor. Conceptual designs include pedestrian and vehicular access to reach the parks from a variety of points.
If you have comments or questions, please contact the staff of:
Trinity River Corridor Project Management Office
1500 Marilla, Room 6BS
Dallas, Texas 75201
(214) 671-9500
(214) 670-3226 (fax)
or, you may send us an email.