Murphy — City staff on Oct. 21 gave Council an update on trail and connectivity projects, highlighting completed pedestrian links, planned sidewalks and a major pedestrian-bridge project across FM 544 that is nearing final design review with the Texas Department of Transportation.

Public works staff told council the trail master plan was updated in August 2024 and revised again in January 2025 after acquisition of land behind Pet Suites to expand future trail alignments. Staff listed completed connections since 2023, including sidewalks across from Tom C. Crambrough High School, the McCreary Road railroad crossing connection to 7-Eleven, and a North Murphy Road link connecting the community center to retail areas and the food-truck court at Central Park.

Among future work, staff identified the FM 544 pedestrian bridge and under-crossing as the largest current connectivity project. A staff presenter said 95% design was submitted to TxDOT and that responses from TxDOT are expected within roughly 90 days; staff anticipate advertising the project for construction in spring or summer 2026 depending on permitting, utility relocations and TxDOT approvals.

Staff noted several related utility and right-of-way tasks: a CoServ gas-line relocation request (a potential approved payment to CoServ will be returned to council for consideration), coordination with North Texas Municipal Water District for an easement to move a 14-inch water line, and one remaining property/easement to acquire (Willowford tract). The city told council it expects those pieces to be completed before final TxDOT authorization to advertise.

Council and staff also reviewed other CIP items: McMillan Road paving and drainage with a new signal and 8-foot sidewalks, a timber-ridge street rebuild with sanitary and water main work, cast-iron water main replacements (staff found about 6,000 linear feet requiring replacement in a concentrated area), and the Radio Drive elevated storage tank (staff said additional inspections are needed to determine metal loss and paint condition and flagged past unbudgeted costs associated with temporarily removing telecommunications equipment).

Staff said planned FY26 sidewalk repairs will target roughly 150 sites, and a street panel replacement contract will begin construction at month end, with an initial focus on McCreary Road. The city manager and staff will return to council with updated schedules, estimated costs for additional scopes (for example CoServ relocations) and design adjustments requested by council.

Council asked staff to consider traffic impacts during construction, right-turn-lane improvements near Maxwell Creek and FM 544, and to report back with options and timing during future updates.