Council backs DART application for final Cotton Belt Trail segment through Addison
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Summary
Addison approved a resolution supporting DART's application to TxDOT for Transportation Alternatives funds to construct Phase 3 of the Cotton Belt Trail through the town; earlier segments already secured federal funding and construction is underway for parts of the trail.
The Addison City Council voted May 27 to support Dallas Area Rapid Transit's application for Texas Department of Transportation Transportation Alternatives funds to build the final unfunded segment of the Cotton Belt Trail through Addison.
Council discussion explained the project's regional scope and Addison's role. A staff presenter described the trail as a planned regional corridor connecting Plano to Fort Worth when complete and said DART's design work has involved adjacent municipalities. The town previously received $12.2 million for the bridge over Midway Road and $7.1 million for the segment from the Midway bridge to the tollway; construction on the latter begins in June. The resolution before council supports an application that covers the short remaining segment east of Surveyor Boulevard extending to the town limit near Marsh Lane.
Town staff said the grant application is being submitted through the North Central Texas Council of Governments and must be filed with TxDOT by June 20. If awarded, DART would manage construction and notify applicants in October. Staff told council the Addison portion of the next segment is roughly $1 million and that local maintenance costs are estimated at about $46,000 per year. The town intends to enter a license agreement with DART for trail maintenance; most of the trail sits in DART right-of-way but will be maintained by Addison under that agreement.
Council members asked about alignment near city limits, whether the trail would be off-street and if lighting would be included. Staff responded the trail will be largely off-street and built to AASHTO standards, with the exception of a short on-street section where right-of-way constraints exist. Lighting was not included in the base grant-funded construction; staff has submitted a separate budget request to design Addison-specific enhancements such as shade trees, lighting and wayfinding.
The council moved, seconded and approved the resolution supporting DART's application; staff will continue coordination with DART and NCTCOG and will bring any license agreement or maintenance funding requests back to council as required.
"This is a regional trail and a strong funding opportunity for Addison," staff said during the presentation.