Dallas Area Rapid Transit construction is expected to close part of Hillcrest Road for an entire year, creating detours for Dallas residents.
Beginning January 25, Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s (DART) Silver Line construction will begin on a grade separating a rail crossing at Hillcrest in North Dallas. The activity means residents will not be able to access an “approximately one-fifth of a mile of Hillcrest Road between McCallum Boulevard and Wester Way” for the duration of the project, according to the DART website.
The construction is part of the Silver Line Project, a 26-mile line between the DFW Airport and Shiloh Road in Plano. DART states service is expected to begin as early as late next year.
Since its planning stages, the $1.9 billion plan to connect multiple North Texas cities from Grapevine to Plano has been the subject of complaints regarding changing plans, noise concerns, and potential safety issues, as the Dallas Observer reported.
Last year, DART CEO Nadine Lee told the Dallas City Council that the City’s requested plan improvements would require an additional $30 million in funding over and above the initial estimate. She also said another $50 million in project costs accrued due to delays she blamed on the City.
Further, concerns have arisen about a potential misuse of taxpayer money by the agency’s board. As reported by The Dallas Express, some board members allegedly misused DART funds to cover personal travel expenses.
At the same time, the agency has made efforts to provide transparency around its decisions. Last year, DART held public hearings enabling the public to voice their concerns about proposed changes to its transportation system.
“DART has been in regular communication with city and school district officials in Richardson and Plano regarding construction updates and safety measures due to Silver Line work and the upcoming closure,” per an agency statement reported by Dallas Observer.
“DART also continues to provide updates to nearby cities who may have commuters that frequent the area. Digital road signs alerting drivers of the upcoming closure have been in place since late December.”