1. U.S. 75 lane construction begins in Richardson
TxDOT crews began construction Aug. 4 in Richardson for the next phase of the U.S. 75 Tech Lanes Project, according to a news release issued by the city.
The project intends to expand U.S. 75 into five lanes by converting existing High Occupancy Vehicle lanes into “technology lanes,” which will have designated time periods for HOV travel but will be open for all drivers at other times.
Crews will first restripe the southbound and northbound HOV lanes during overnight hours. Once the restriping work is completed, construction crews will begin building a permanent barrier between the northbound and southbound lanes, which is expected to be completed in summer 2026.
2. Silver Line connects riders from Plano, Richardson to DFW Airport
Nearly two decades after its initial conception, the 26-mile, $2 billion Silver Line transit rail from transportation agency Dallas Area Rapid Transit is now open.
As of Oct. 25, riders can hop on the train and travel to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in less than an hour. The Silver Line has two stations each in Plano and Richardson, and six additional stations that touch Dallas, Addison, Carrollton, Coppell and Grapevine.
DART CEO Nadine Lee called the Silver Line’s opening the “realization of a promise kept to our riders and our region.”
“This moment captures what we mean when we talk about moving [DART] from being seen as just a transit system to becoming a regional economic and mobility asset,” Lee said.
3. Amir Omar wins Richardson mayoral election
Amir Omar won the Richardson mayoral race on the May 2025 ballot. Incumbent Arefin Shamsul won re-election for Place 8 on City Council, as well.
Omar received 6,672 votes while incumbent Bob Dubey received 5,084 votes. Alan C. North was also running in the race and received 485 votes.
4. Fernando’s Mexican Cuisine to close Richardson, Dallas locations
Fernando's Mexican Cuisine is closing both its CityLine location in Richardson and the Dallas location, Managing Partner Anna Cowden said in a social media post.
The restaurant served Tex-Mex cuisine, including tacos, quesadillas, nachos, Mexican shrimp cocktail and more.
The Dallas restaurant operated for more than 20 years, according to the post. The restaurants are closing because owners couldn't reach a lease agreement with the Dallas location’s landlord and with the Richardson lease expiring, they felt it was the proper time to close that location as well, Cowden said in the post.
5. Richardson ISD's $1.4 billion bond election passes
Voters have approved Richardson's $1.4 billion bond package.
Proposition A, which asked for $1.338 billion to fund construction of a new Career and Technical Education Center and many renovation projects across the district, passed with 20,730 "For" votes and 11,721 "Against" votes.
Proposition B will allocate $54 million to replace electronics and passed with 20,973 votes in favor of passing, or 64.68%.
Proposition C, a $7.4 million item to fund football stadium upgrades, was supported by 52.83% of voters, receiving 17,120 "For" votes and 15,288 "Against" votes.
6. Richardson City Council approves zoning change request for Mediterranean restaurant Ayat
A new Mediterranean restaurant could be opening in Richardson following a zoning change approved by City Council.
Richardson City Council considered a special permit allowing a drive-thru for Ayat, a New York-based restaurant during the July 28 meeting.
Along with the drive-thru, the permit would also allow a 329-square-foot covered patio.
