
Trinity Corridor Transportation Improvements
The Trinity Parkway Corridor Transportation Improvements will be implemented jointly by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) and the City of Dallas.
The City will participate in the financing of the Trinity Parkway, a 6/4 lane tollway reliever route extending in the south from U.S. 175 to connect with S.H. 183 in the area of IH-35E in the north. The locally preferred alternative, identified in the Trinity River Corridor Balanced Vision Plan, proposes that the Parkway be constructed with all lanes on the inside of the levee closest to downtown. Dallas City Council approved this alignment on April 13, 2005, and it was adopted by the NTTA Board of Directors on April 20, 2005. The roadway will be built on an embankment which will raise it above the 100-year floodplain, or will be protected from the 100-year flood by floodwalls in those areas where the roadway must fall below the 100-year floodplain to go below the various bridges. The NTTA is currently conducting an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate this alternative and its environmental impacts. This EIS is being done in conjunction with the Corps of Engineers Dallas Floodway EIS, which looks at the combined impacts of the roadway, lakes and river channels in the downtown floodway area. Construction of the parkway will utilize material excavated from the proposed lakes and wetlands identified as part of the City of Dallas' master plan for the existing Dallas Floodway. An official "Record of Decision" is expected for the Parkway EIS in 2008, and construction could be completed in 2013.
The construction of the Trinity Parkway reliever route facilitates TxDOT efforts in completing improvements to IH-30 and IH-35E (Canyon/Mixmaster/Lower Stemmons). The IH-30/IH-35E improvements are proposed to be completed on an accelerated 15-year schedule. The work includes main lane and frontage road improvements, direct connections between IH-30 and IH-35E, and high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. It is also proposed that TxDOT extend the Woodall Rodgers Freeway across the Trinity River to Singleton/Beckley Avenue. This will act as an integral part of the reliever system, providing access to the Trinity Parkway, Oak Cliff, and West Dallas. The Woodall Rodgers crossing of the Trinity River is proposed to be constructed as a "signature" bridge which could be a custom designed arch structure intended to be a landmark for the City. Design for this bridge, known as the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, is complete and construction should begin in March 2007. The IH-30 bridge is also being designed as a signature structure.
- The City will also propose enhancements to Beckley Avenue from Commerce Street to north of Continental Avenue to facilitate traffic movements and to provide an at-grade intersection at Beckley and Singleton Blvd.
- It has been estimated that the Trinity Corridor transportation improvements will generate in excess of $10 billion in economic development over the next 25 years, creating over 7,500 permanent jobs in Dallas.
Next Steps
- Preliminary design of IH-30 and IH-35E with Canyon/Mixmaster Improvements began in Spring 2000.
- Trinity Parkway EIS to be completed in 2008. Early design will begin in 2007, with construction starting in 2008 and completion in 2013.
- Margaret Hunt Hill bridge construction should be completed in 2009.
- The IH-30 Signature Bridge design should be completed in 2007, with a construction completion in 2010.
Project Update
- Dallas City Council approved the TxDOT Trinity Parkway Corridor MTIS on September 10, 1997. Dallas County and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) also approved the MTIS at around the same time period. On March 12, 1998, the Regional Transportation Council amended the regional transportation plan "Mobility 2020" to include the Trinity Parkway Corridor improvements.
- On May 2, 1998, Dallas voters authorized the issuance of $118 million in General Obligation Bonds for the City's share of the Trinity Parkway Corridor transportation improvements.
- Trinity River Parkway presentation presented to the Dallas City Council on Wednesday, October 1, 2003 (119 KB)
- Trinity Parkway Draft EIS and Public Hearing Update, presented to City Council April 6, 2005
- Trinity Parkway Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Public Hearing Update (Click on Projects/About the Projects button, then click on the Trinity Parkway button at left.)