NOTICE: Dart Train Update Meeting, August 4, 6:30 PM

DART Cotton Belt/Silver Line Meeting

This Thursday DART will hold their 2x a year meeting. I asked DART to provide a more detailed meeting and increase the length of the meeting so residents have time to ask questions. I have seen a draft of the presentation and I encourage you to attend. The new schedule is:

• 6:30 – 7:00 pm – Open house, talk with DART representatives informally
• 7:00 – 9:00 pm – DART presentation and resident questions

The agenda includes:

• Construction schedule
• Quiet zones and sound mitigation
• Hike & bike trail
• ADA compliance
• Knoll Trail station, Hillcrest Road, Coit Road, Sugar Cane/University Place, Meandering Way, Dickerson
• Community outreach
• Question and answer session

You will be able to ask questions at a microphone. If you prefer, you can submit written questions.

You will be able to submit formal comments that will be part of the public record. Yes, you can put in your comments that you would like a supplemental EIS so you have an opportunity to see data, ask questions, give input on elements that were not included or were vague in the FEIS.

The traffic signal at Hillcrest & McKamy is expected to become active the week of August 8th. The median on Hillcrest between McKamy and Wester Way north to Starbuck will be removed this month, likely starting the week of August 14. When AWH starts to remove the median, they will close the center lanes and vehicles will be limited to the outer lanes between Dye on the south and Starbuck on the north. Once the median is removed, they will create a crossover, which will result in one northbound lane and one southbound lane indefinitely. The work they are permitted to do is for utilities, not construction, but it is likely the work will extend into the time construction begins. According to the ILA, they will be able to close Hillcrest to all vehicles for 26 weeks during construction.

The Cotton Belt was approved by the Dallas City Council in 2018. I was elected in May 2019. There is no way to stop the Cotton Belt/Silver Line from being built and activated. The construction will be much worse than most people realize. It will take much longer to get anywhere in our area by car, bike or walking while construction is occurring. You will need to rethink how long it takes to travel anywhere, including to schools, work, or daily activities. Please talk to your children about train and construction safety.

I highly suggest you attend this meeting if you live near the Cotton Belt/Silver Line or you drive on Hillcrest or Coit Roads.

Cara Mendelsohn
City Council Member for District 12

Email: [email protected]
Office phone: (214) 670-4067
Text phone: (214) 490-1036