Texas Awards DART 25 Million for Cotton Belt Trail Expansion

The state funding will support the third phase of a long range effort to complete the Cotton Belt Trail, a regional trail planned to span 57 miles through multiple cities across north Texas. DART and state officials say about 21.5 miles of the trail are open today, and the commission award of 25 million was intended to move the next critical segment into construction planning and procurement.

Work on the second phase began in spring 2025 and covers roughly 11 miles between Addison and Plano, including about 3 miles that run through Richardson. DART communications said the phase remains under way and is expected to finish in early 2027. The newly funded third phase is slated to begin in mid 2027 and will create direct trail connections to the DART stations at Cypress Waters, Addison and downtown Carrollton, strengthening multimodal links between transit and active transportation for Collin County commuters and recreational users.

Construction in Richardson continues to include pedestrian bridge projects, with ongoing work at the Custer Bridge and the Spring Creek Bridge that will improve crossings and accessibility along the route. Officials cautioned that train horns may sound during some construction activity, even where quiet zones are currently in effect, as safety procedures require temporary suspensions of horn protections while crews and equipment are near active tracks.

Local impacts are both immediate and long term. Residents will see intermittent lane or trail closures, increased construction traffic and noise as crews advance work through populated corridors. In the longer term the trail promises safer, car free routes for cyclists and pedestrians, enhanced access to DART rail stations and new green space that may influence recreation patterns and local property values across Collin County communities.

DART communications provided the timeline details for the second and third phases, and the agency will continue to publish construction notices and detour information as work progresses. Residents planning commutes or outdoor activities along the planned corridors are advised to monitor DART updates for schedule changes and temporary safety restrictions.