Dallas TIF board approves up to $500,000 for Church Road bridge schematic and preliminary engineering

The Skillman Corridor Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Board voted unanimously June 6 to dedicate up to $500,000 in district-wide set-aside funds to pay for schematic and preliminary engineering on the Church Road bridge segment between Skillman Street and White Rock Trail.

The funds are intended to finance an engineering study and schematic design to evaluate the bridge and connections to existing and proposed trails, assess structural integrity and utilities attached to the bridge, and identify whether to build a separate pedestrian/trail bridge or replace the vehicular bridge to incorporate trail facilities. Christopher Johnson, capital approval project manager and agency liaison for the City of Dallas Department of Transportation and Public Works, told the board, “For this Church Road project, we're asking for the set aside funds to not only investigate the tie in for Church Road, with Skillman and the Trail, but also to evaluate the bridge.”

The board was also asked to approve $50,000 in the project budget for public engagement during the schematic and preliminary engineering phase. “I noticed on the proposed budget, you have $50,000 allocated for public engagement,” said Ashia Warren. Johnson replied that the engagement would inform choices between design options and that outreach would follow standard environmental-documentation guidance describing pros and cons of each option.

Board members pressed staff on scope and schedule. Bill Boyd noted the study limits listed in materials: “Is it just the car bridge or a lack of a better term? Or is that whole 800 feet encompassing the DART bridge and right of way?” Johnson and staff said the study limits extend roughly 800 feet from Skillman to White Rock Trail and will include both the bridge span and adjacent roadway/tie-ins to evaluate all modes of travel — vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles — as well as hydraulic and utility constraints. Johnson said utility attachments and nearby power lines could be major design considerations.

Staff outlined an anticipated procurement and delivery timeline contingent on board approval and subsequent interagency agreements. If funding is approved, the city’s procurement process to award an engineering contract typically takes about four to six months to reach city council for award, followed by roughly one year for consultants to complete the schematic and preliminary engineering. Johnson said the project team will obtain TxDOT bridge inspection reports and coordinate with TxDOT letting schedules; TxDOT’s fiscal year ends Aug. 31, which informs federal and state funding timelines.

At the meeting’s conclusion the motion to approve the funding request was made and seconded; the chair called the vote and “the motion carries unanimously.” The board also approved the March 28 meeting record earlier in the session by unanimous voice vote.

In closing remarks board members and staff provided program updates. The board noted progress on the Walnut Hill to Church segment of the Skillman master plan, ongoing coordination with PID partners and the city on the LBJ/Skillman interchange (including TxDOT “green ribbon” funding), and safety-enhancement work near Forest and Audelia. The board indicated it will continue outreach to DART after a leadership change there and that more items may return to the TIF board later in the year.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Approve minutes of the March 28, 2025 Skillman Corridor TIF Board meeting. Outcome: Approved unanimously (individual votes not recorded in transcript).

- Motion: Approve request by City of Dallas Department of Transportation and Public Works for dedication of up to $500,000 in Skillman Corridor TIF district-wide set-aside funds to support schematic and preliminary engineering for the Church Road bridge between Skillman Street and White Rock Trail. Outcome: Approved unanimously (individual votes not recorded in transcript).