A significant funding win from the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) is paving the way for vital trail connections and regional recreation improvements along the DART Silver Line corridor in Far North Dallas. This federal funding means the Cotton Belt Trail can now move forward, avoiding decades of potential delays if it had relied on city-by-city contributions.
The 26-mile Cotton Belt Trail, which will follow the Silver Line rail from Plano to DFW Airport and eventually connect to Tarrant County and Fort Worth, is already in the design phase, with construction slated to begin next month.
"We were told each city along the Silver Line would have to fund its portion of the trail project, but we worked together to get funding,” said Dallas City Council Member Cara Mendelsohn. “This RTC funding saves the City of Dallas approximately $7 million and helps complete a vision years in the making. We now have funding for the final unfunded segment of the Cotton Belt Trail in District 12, as well as the missing link of the Marni Kaner Trail needed to complete the North Dallas Triangle.”
The North Dallas Triangle is a 4-mile urban trail circuit that will seamlessly link the Preston Ridge, Cotton Belt, and Marni Kaner Trails. This amenity is expected to provide enhanced access to nature and recreation across District 12, further bolstered by planned upgrades to Preston Green and Campbell Green Parks, and the new Davenport Trailhead.
City staff will share timelines for trail development as they become available.
