NOTE: The original post has been update numerous time. As of today, the bridges over Mockingbird, Abrams and Skillman have been finished and the trail is completed.
Find out how this completed trail is being connected to the new East Dallas Veloway
Dallas has one of the most extensive bike and jogging trail systems in the U.S. One of the most exciting developments in recent years have been plans to extend the popular Katy Trail to White Rock Lake.
The plan is to build a bridge over Mockingbird Lane and then have the trail mostly follow the Dart line from Mockingbird Station to White Rock Station on the north side of the lake.
Rendering of the Katy trail Bridge over Mockingbird Ave. |
There has only been a small bit of work done at Mockingbird Lane. It will be the last piece of the trails extention to be completed. Most people, including myself, would probably be surprised how much work has already been done.
I noticed a few days ago that a portion of the trail that follows Northwest Highway towards the White Rock Dart Station had already been finished and striped.
The Katy extension headed north toward Northwest Highway |
Standing in the same spot, looking south |
What's interesting is that the trail will follow the Dart Green line from Mockingbird Station until it reaches the as of now undeveloped Union Pacific Trail. A tall ramp will be built to bring the trail down to the rail line. It appears that for now the trail will go north to Northwest Highway, then east to the Dart Station. From there, you take another trail south to the lake.
Pylons being built for a ramp that will lower the trail to the Union Pacific Trail, which is owned by DART |
Sadly, I'm not the only person to discover this portion of the Katy Trail Extension. A tagger has already ruined a portion of the trial. |
Unlike the original portion of the Katy Trail, this section of the Extension is very secluded. Even though the trail bisects two neighborhoods, it's set considerably lower and gives you a feeling of being out in the country.
We are still a few years away from the Extension being completed. The bridge over Mockingbird will be the final piece. In the meantime, joggers and cyclist will still have a considerable amount of trails to discover.
UPDATE: July 2014
More sections have been completed, but you'd really have to search to find them. The bridge that connects the trail from the Dart Line to the Union Pacific Trail toward Northwest Highway has been completed, although it is not open yet.
UPDATE: July 2014
More sections have been completed, but you'd really have to search to find them. The bridge that connects the trail from the Dart Line to the Union Pacific Trail toward Northwest Highway has been completed, although it is not open yet.
FACING EAST AT RIDGEWOOD REC CENTER
A couple of views of the bridge that lowers the trail from street level to the old rail line |
FACING WEST AT RIDGEWOOD REC CENTER
Facing west at Fisher Avenue, the trail travels behind the Ridgewood Rec Center. A trailhead parking lot is being used as a construction site |
The trail passes buy a new splash park |
Headed west, the trail near the Dart Line headed toward Mockingbird Station |
UPDATE October 2015
The Bridges over Abrams and Skillman are finally being installed after sitting near Flagpole Hill and Northwest Highway for the past two years.
The bridge over Skillman now spans that roadway, but as of this post, it is not ready to be crossed. The trail on the west side of the bridge has yet to be finished.
The bridge over Abrams has yet to be installed, but the bridge mounts on with side are almost completed.
The Bridges over Abrams and Skillman are finally being installed after sitting near Flagpole Hill and Northwest Highway for the past two years.
The bridge over Skillman now spans that roadway, but as of this post, it is not ready to be crossed. The trail on the west side of the bridge has yet to be finished.
The first of two bridges, spanning over Skillman |
The bridge has been installed but is not ready to cross. |
The bridge over Abrams has yet to be installed, but the bridge mounts on with side are almost completed.
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