The overview
The overpass will join the Northaven Trail on the west side of North Central Expressway to the Cottonwood Creek and White Rock Creek trails on the east side. It will provide an arched 201-foot-long bridge across the highway for pedestrians and cyclists, according to the Texas Department of Transportation’s website.
Construction on the project began in June 2021, and the bridge itself was constructed last spring, TxDOT spokesperson Tony Hartzel said. The project construction company, Ragle Construction Inc., assembled the bridge behind the Conn’s Home Plus store at the northeast corner of North Central Expressway and Royal Lane.
The bridge was installed over the freeway during the weekend of Sept. 9-10. As of late September, TxDOT workers have been completing adjustments, such as securing safety cables and paving the areas that connect to the trails.
“We’re still working on the finishing touches to connect the trail and to finish the remaining portions of the bridge over the frontage roads,” Hartzel said in late September. “We expect to have all that completed by the end of October.”
The cost
The project’s budget is $9.3 million, with the majority of funding coming from Dallas County, the city of Dallas and the North Central Texas Council of Governments, Hartzel said.
Who’s it for
Hartzel said the project will provide a “gateway and centerpiece” for the north Dallas area while providing a focal point for pedestrians and cyclists. It’s meant to improve recreational opportunities in the area while also reducing barriers to transportation options.
Currently, those looking to cross North Central Expressway on bike or foot have to veer north from Northaven Trail to a trail that goes underneath the highway, which can be challenging, Hartzel said. The pedestrian bridge is expected to fix that problem.
“This is a much better option for those bicyclists and pedestrians,” he said. “They’ve been looking for this for a long time, and we’re really excited to get this completed.”
Stay tuned
Hartzel said an exact opening date for the project has not been set. Friends of the Northaven Trail, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the trail’s maintenance and support, is expected to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
