Council approves multiuse agreement amendment with NTTA for Mercer Parkway pedestrian crossing

Farmers Branch City Council unanimously authorized an amendment July 15 to its multiple-use agreement with the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) to permit city access to NTTA right-of-way for construction and maintenance of a planned pedestrian crossing at Mercer Parkway and Valley View. City staff explained the change is necessary because parts of the crosswalk and approach lie within NTTA property and NTTA requires legal authorization (an MUA amendment) for city crews or contractors to work in the tollway right-of-way. Maria Mentor, managing superintendent of Public Works, described the amendment as a legal authorization that will enable project coordination, risk mitigation, and compliance with NTTA protocols; staff said the crosswalk completes a safe route from Mercer Parkway to the John Burke Nature Preserve across multiple lanes of traffic. Why it matters: the crossing is intended to make the nature preserve accessible and to close a pedestrian-safety gap across a high-speed corridor; NTTA’s formal authorization is required before construction can proceed. Council approved the resolution authorizing the MUA amendment and city staff will finalize design, bid the project, and enact community outreach before construction.