Frequently Asked Questions (En español)

What is the Trinity River Corridor Project?
What is included?
Who is paying for the project?
Did the City increase taxes to pay for the project?
What is the Dallas Floodway Extension project?
What lakes could be built in the Dallas Floodway?
What uses are expected for the lakes?
What recreational amenities are planned along the river?
What is the Trinity Parkway?
How will there be access into the parks with the Trinity Parkway in place?
What are the so-called "signature bridges"?
Were signature bridges included in the original cost?
What is the status of the Elm Fork project initiatives that are part of the overall Trinity River Corridor Project?
How are economic development and neighborhood revitalization issues being addressed?
Has the Trinity River Corridor Project received any grants or special recognition from other organizations?
What has been done so far?

What is the Trinity River Corridor Project?
The citizens of Dallas voted to enhance the quality of life for this and future generations by approving the capital bond program for the Trinity River Corridor Project in 1998.

Here are the main benefits:

• The Dallas Floodway Extension will increase flood protection for about 12,500 structures in southern Dallas and near downtown.
• Citizens and visitors will be able to enjoy recreational amenities, such as hiking, biking and equestrian trails, new parks, lakes and interpretive center.
• Environmental benefits will include land acquisition that will preserve about 3,500 acres in the Great Trinity Forest and wetlands construction, which will improve floodwater conveyance and wildlife habitats.
• Transportation improvements will provide relief from traffic congestion in the downtown area.
  Economic development and neighborhood revitalization is expected to flourish in the areas adjacent to the project.

What is included?
The Trinity River Corridor Project is made up of several distinct elements. The overall effort will include:

• The building of levees, wetlands, downtown lakes, gateway parks, trails, equestrian centers, and an interpretive center.
• The expansion and preservation of the Great Trinity Forest through the acquisition of 3,500 acres of land along the Trinity River.
• Transportation improvements including the Trinity Parkway and the Woodall Rodgers Extension Bridge.

Who is paying for the project?
The City of Dallas is paying for the $246 million bond program, approved by voters in May 1998. State, federal and other agencies are providing additional funds totaling approximately $1 billion.

Did the City increase taxes to pay for the project?
No.

What is the Dallas Floodway Extension project?
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be constructing a flood control project along the Trinity River that will reduce the flooding risk for about 12,500 structures in Dallas. The Dallas Floodway Extension (DFE) Project will restore Standard Project Flood (800-year) protection to the downtown Dallas vicinity while extending the same protection to the densely populated areas along the southern Trinity River corridor. The DFE Project will be comprised of the Cadillac Heights Levee, the Lamar Levee, a Chain of Wetlands, and a river realignment at Interstate 45. (The Chain of Wetlands will help to improve floodwater conveyance and to develop a wildlife habitat.) Other components of the project include recreational amenities and environmental mitigation.

These physical features of the project will be located between Loop 12 and the downstream end of the existing Dallas Floodway at the DART Bridge. Environmental mitigation lands will extend to the Interstate 20 vicinity. The DFE Project is estimated to cost about $140 million and be completed in 2010.

What lakes could be built in the Dallas Floodway?
The 1999 Master Implementation Plan was modified in December 2003 by City Council for the Dallas Floodway due to a collaborative effort among urban design consultants, CDM (engineering firm of Camp, Dresser & McKee) and City Staff. The two off-channel lakes would be located near the East Levee (downtown side) between the Continental St. Viaduct and the Corinth St. Viaduct, while the river channel would be relocated towards the West Levee (Oak Cliff side) of the Dallas Floodway to bypass everyday normal river flows around the lakes. The northern lake (called the Urban Lake) is about 90 acres in size, while the connecting southern lake (Natural Lake) is about 60 acres in size. A future 180-acre off-channel West Dallas Lake is proposed for the vicinity of Westmoreland and adjacent to the West Levee near West Dallas.

What uses are expected for the lakes?
White Rock Lake and Bachman Lake. Such uses and limitations include boating/sailing, paddleboats, fishing, but no swimming. The Urban Lake would include a promenade and have an emphasis on aesthetics. The Natural Lake would have wetland and natural edge treatments. The transition between the two lakes would occur through a three-foot elevation difference, which would facilitate a water feature (water fall, etc). The reverse flow of the two lakes (south to north) will allow for a user-friendly four-mile boat loop that will eliminate the need for transportation back to vehicles. In addition, the 17-foot elevation drop for the Urban Lake discharge point to the Trinity River may facilitate a significant white-water boating facility that could be reviewed from the Continental Street Viaduct, which is planned to be a pedestrian-only bridge.

What recreational amenities are planned along the river?
The 1999 Master Implementation Plan recommends hard and soft surface trails, gateway parks, four boat launches, access points to the Great Trinity Forest, a Trinity Interpretive Center and two equestrian centers. In addition, modifications to the 1999 Master Implementation Plan for the Dallas Floodway will allow for river meandering, in-channel riffle-pool sequences, quality tree plantings along the river, and potential whitewater boating.

What is the Trinity Parkway?
The Trinity Parkway is a toll road being planned to relieve traffic congestion downtown. It is a joint project of the City of Dallas, the Texas Department of Transportation and the North Texas Tollway Authority. Various alignments are currently being evaluated for the Parkway, which would extend from the State Highway 183 and Interstate 35 merge down to State Highway 175 and Interstate 45 in southern Dallas. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement is expected to be available to the public by late 2004 and a final alignment should be determined by the City Council in early 2004

How will there be access into the parks with the Trinity Parkway in place?
The parkway design will provide for access to the parks through various park gateways and access points along the corridor. Conceptual designs include pedestrian and vehicular access to reach the parks from a variety of points.

What are the so-called "signature bridges"?
Signature bridges have a unique design that combines distinctive artistic elements with a functioning structure, often using unconventional materials and enhanced lighting. The idea of signature bridges was included in the Trinity River Corridor Project master plan to maximize the potential of the project, to create an image that is "Distinctively Dallas" and to increase the beauty and benefits of the corridor. Besides creating magnificent Dallas landmarks that will attract millions of visitors and residents to the corridor, the signature bridges can promote favorable land uses and neighborhood revitalization in the adjoining areas. The Woodall Rodgers Extension Bridge and the Interstate 30 Bridge are both under design as signature bridges, and funds are being raised now to create a signature bridge for the Interstate 35E crossing of the Trinity River.

Were signature bridges included in the original cost?
No. The bond program included funds for a conventional bridge at the planned Woodall Rodgers Extension Bridge. Additional funds for designing and building the signature bridges have come from private donations, public arts funds, and County, State and Federal appropriations.

Internationally renowned engineer-architect Santiago Calatrava was awarded the design contract for the Woodall Rodgers Extension Bridge in January 2002 and for the Interstate 30 Bridge in December 2003.

What is the status of the Elm Fork project initiatives that are part of the overall Trinity River Corridor Project?
The Elm Fork Floodplain Management Study was initiated in June 2000 and was approved by City Council in November 2003 for an area along the Elm Fork of the Trinity River between Royal Lane and SH-183, and from the Elm Fork to roughly IH-35 to the east. Within this area, Richards Branch, Wesco Creek, and Daniels Creek watersheds were studied. The engineering firm of Freese and Nichols, Incorporated, is expected to produce a final report during Spring 2004. The floodplain management study recommends about $16 million for flood control initiatives and $13 million for recreation and open space initiatives for the Elm Fork corridor. Design is expected to begin during 2004 for flood control initiatives, while property survey and acquisition process is underway for phase I of a major soccer complex.

How are economic development and neighborhood revitalization issues being addressed?
The Trinity River Corridor Comprehensive Land Use Plan is being developed to guide development and investment decisions in Trinity River Corridor neighborhoods and business districts. Dallas City Council contracted with HNTB to prepare a comprehensive long-range land use plan, implementation strategy report, and economic analyses for the Trinity River Corridor Project and Trinity Tollway alternative alignments.

Find out more about the Trinity River Corridor Comprehensive Land Use Plan here.

Has the Trinity River Corridor Project received any grants or special recognition from other organizations?
Yes. The Trinity River Corridor Project has received grants from two state agencies and a federal agency. In addition, a private organization has singled out the Trinity River Corridor Project for recognition.

• The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission authorized the expenditure of $200,000 for boat launches along the Trinity River Corridor in Dallas in 1997. A portion of the grant came from the United States Fish & Wildlife Service's Department of the Interior Sports Fish Restoration Program.
• A $97,000 grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission will help fund nature trails in Rochester Park. This grant was received in 2001. Design is complete with construction anticipated to begin in late 2004.
• The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) selected the Santa Fe Trestle Trail to receive State Transportation Enhancement Program funding in the amount of $2,875,114 in Feb. 2002. The Santa Fe Trestle Trail will cross the Trinity River and provide access to Moore Gateway Park and the future Trinity Levee Trails. The design for this project was awarded in June 2004.
• In March 2002, the Texas Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) honored those responsible for the Trinity Project's Master Implementation Plan. The ASLA's "Honor Award" was presented in recognition of outstanding professional achievement.
• In September 2003, the National Park Service, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Groundwork USA announced Dallas as a designated Groundwork USA Pilot Community. This grant would provide the City of Dallas with an initial $10,000 to help assess the feasibility of a Groundwork Trust organization in Dallas with the potential of an additional $90,000 to help launch the new organization.

What has been done so far?

• Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), which study the impact of various project components along the Trinity River, must be developed before design or construction can begin.
  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continues with design efforts for the Dallas Floodway Extension (DFE) Project, while the City continues with land acquisition. The Corps produced a Supplement for the Dallas Floodway Extension EIS in November 2003 that satisfied the Federal District Court and resulted in lifting the court injunction on construction. The Corps began construction on the DFE Project during August 2004.
  • Two other EIS's are currently underway – the North Texas Tollway Authority is developing an EIS for the Trinity Parkway, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is working on an EIS for the Dallas Floodway water resource initiatives. It is anticipated that both EIS's will be combined into one comprehensive EIS that would address all the Dallas Floodway projects and be completed by December 2006.
• One of two boat launches to be built along the Trinity River in Dallas is now operational. The Sylvan Avenue boat launch, located next to Trammell Crow Lake Park, was completed in January 2002. Another boat launch, located at Loop 12 and the Trinity River, is currently under construction. There is no charge to use the self-service facilities, however only properly licensed watercrafts are allowed on the river.
• A master plan for proposed enhancements to Moore Gateway Park was completed in August 2001. A design contract was awarded in the Fall 2002. MESA Design Group, a Dallas firm, is working on a design that will include an entry pavilion, canoe launch, trail, a pedestrian connection to the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Light Rail Station at Corinth Street and 8th Street, and associated parking. In February 2003, additional acreage was acquired along 8th Street to improve access to the park. Construction is anticipated to begin in early 2005 and be completed by the summer of 2005.
• $97,000 grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission will help fund nature trails in Rochester Park.Design is complete with construction anticipated to begin in late 2004.
• In Oct. 2001, the Trinity River Corridor Citizens Committee (TRCCC) was merged with a new non-profit organization known as Trinity Commons Foundation. First organized in 1994, the TRCCC volunteers provided input for the various elements of the Project, as will the new organization. The mission of the Trinity Commons Foundation is to support the Trinity River Corridor Project.
• The design contract for the Woodall Rodgers Extension Bridge was awarded to world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava in January 2002. The Interstate 30 Bridge design contract was awarded to Mr. Calatrava in December 2003.
• A contract for a feasibility study and master plan for the Trinity Interpretive Center and equestrian centers, and associated trails was awarded in August 2002 with an estimated completion date of June 2004. The design phase began in the Summer 2004, which will be followed by construction in early 2006. As part of the study, three series of public input meetings were held in March 2003, May 2003 and May 2004. Additional public input opportunities will occur during the design phase.
• In November 2002, the Dallas City Council gave their approval to the hiring of an engineering firm, Camp Dresser & McKee, Inc. (CDM), to assess water-quality issues related to the proposed lakes inside the Dallas Floodway and to provide technical guidance to the collaborative work of the urban design consultants to modify the 1999 Master Implementation Plan for the Dallas Floodway. The Balanced Vision Plan was approved by City Council in December 2003 that modifies the 1999 Master Implementation Plan for the Dallas Floodway. Further refinements to the Balanced Vision Plan were approved by City Council in April 2004. CDM completed its work on water quality studies in Spring 2004.
• In September 2003, the National Park Service, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Groundwork USA announced Dallas as a designated Groundwork USA Pilot Community. This grant would provide the City of Dallas with an initial $10,000 to help assess the feasibility of a Groundwork Trust organization in Dallas with the potential of an additional $90,000 to help launch the new organization.
• The Santa Fe Trestle Trail Project will provide bicycle and pedestrian access across the Trinity River to Moore Park and the future Trinity Levee Trails. The design for this trail began in Summer 2004.
• In August 2004, the Federal Highway Administration announced that the Trinity Parkway was selected as one of six trans\portation projects in the nation that will be reviewed under the Environmental Streamlining process. This will reduce the amount of time to complete the Trinity Parkway Environmental Impact Statement, through concurrent agency reviews and prioritization of this project for agency action.
  If you have comments or questions, please contact the staff of:

Trinity River Corridor Project Management Office
1500 Marilla, Room 6BS
Dallas, Texas 75201
(214) 671-9500
(214) 670-3226 (fax)

or, you may send us an email.