The City-Wide Trails Master Plan (CWTMP) was adopted by Council on May 25, 2021. The CWTMP's Chapter 5, Priority Projects, identifies the Dallas North Tollway (DNT) as presenting the greatest obstacle to providing safe and convenient active transportation access between west and east Addison. Under the subsection, Local Connectivity, page 85 specifically addresses Tollway Crossings. It states, "The Dallas North Tollway is the most challenging barrier to walking and biking in Addison." This section outlines the Belt Line Road Overpass, and suggests that "a shared use-path should be improved along the south side of the overpass of the Tollway along Belt Line Road. The shared-use path should be situated between the southernmost eastbound travel lane and the turnaround lane on the south side of the overpass." Additionally, Section F, Site Conditions of The 2019 Park, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan (PROS) illustrates the recommendation to provide enhanced pedestrian paths on the north and south sides of Belt Line Road from Marsh Lane to White Rock Creek. The enhanced paths would connect the westernmost limits of Addison with the easternmost limits of Addison along Belt Line Road, therefore closing the pedestrian and bicycle gap over the DNT.
Addison, west of the DNT is experiencing tremendous growth with the Addison Airport, the TOD, DART Silver Line, Cotton Belt Trail, The Quorum Art Walk, and the potential for future redevelopment of Addison Circle Park. Likewise, Addison east of the DNT is seeing substantial redevelopment in Village on the Parkway and Prestonwood Place, while Town Hall Square, Winnwood and Celestial Parks are popular destinations in east Addison. The main purpose of the subject project is to provide safety and comfort for bicyclists and pedestrians crossing the DNT while reducing barriers and providing access to major destinations in west and east Addison. A secondary goal of the project is to create a landmark that identifies Addison and is visible from the main lanes of the DNT. The North Central Texas Council of Governments and The Texas Department of Transportation fully support and provide funding opportunities for active transportation projects using similar criteria as stated above. This study would provide information necessary for a grant application.
The existing conditions on the south side of Belt Line Road as it crosses the DNT are inadequate to accommodate a pedestrian and bicycle connection that meets the established criteria for this type of project. One of the considerations of this study will be to explore extending the Belt Line Bridge to the south to make room for an enhanced crossing.
This project consists of conceptual design and feasibility study related to intersection, pedestrian, and bicycle crossing improvements along Belt Line Road between the DNT Northbound Frontage Road and Southbound Frontage Road to provide a future pedestrian and bicycle-use crossing. According to terms of this agreement, Kimley-Horn Associates will prepare a pedestrian crossing feasibility study to include Project Management and Administration, Structural Analysis, Roadway Analysis, Preliminary Conceptual Design, and Final Conceptual Design. Final Concept 3D Renderings will also be included to better communicate the concept to the Council, city management, staff and residents. Kimley-Horn Associates was selected for this project due to their direct involvement with a similar project in Plano to provide a canopied walkway and bike path located over the Dallas North Tollway on Legacy Drive, while connecting the Shops at Legacy to Legacy West. Plano municipal staff applied for grant funding with the North Central Council of Governments and received an award by using similar criteria to the Belt Line Road project. Kimley Horn is an approved vendor for Professional Services for Various Projects under RFQ 17-180.
Funding for this project was included in the FY23/24 Budget. |