Cotton Belt Trail

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Project Type: Captial Improvements Project (CIP)

Project Status: Construction Phase

This 57-mile trail is designed as a regional expressway for active transportation, serving cyclists, pedestrians, and other nonmotorized users. It is a partnership between NCTCOG, the RTC, DART, Dallas County, and local municipalities. There are three major segments in Addison, Texas.

Ways to Stay Informed

Status Updates

Status Updates

July 22, 2025

At the July 22 meeting, Council received a presentation from Deputy Director Ashley Shroyer highlighting progress on the Cotton Belt Trail. The presentation detailed the project's history; the Addison City Council, North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), and Regional Transportation Council (RTC) action dates; and specifics on the trail's alignment, crossings and funding. 

This 57-mile trail is designed as a regional expressway for active transportation, serving cyclists, pedestrians and other nonmotorized users. It is a partnership between NCTCOG, the RTC, DART, Dallas County and local municipalities. 

There are three major segments in Addison:

1. Midway Road Bridge

While designated as Phase One, this will be the second segment constructed. It is funded through a $12.2 million grant from NCTCOG's Regional Transporation Alternatives program with no local match required. Design on this section, which will be built between Wheeler Bridge and the new Silver Line crossing, has been completed. 

2. Surveyor Boulevard to Dallas North Tollway

The segment from Midway Bridge to the Dallas North Tollway has been awarded $7.1 million through TxDOT's Transportation Alternatives Fundin program and requires a $307,469 local match. Dallas County is also contributing over $700,000 to this section. The trail will be 12 feet wide in most places, but 14 feet wide between Addison Road and Quorum Drive. This will be the first phase completed, and construction recently got underway near the Silver Line station. 

3. Midway Bridge to Marsh Lane

The segment from Midway Bridge to Marsh Lane is currently unfunded, though a funding request has been submitted to the TxDOT Transportation Alternatives program. Design and construction documents have been completed. 

June 04, 2025

The Cotton Belt Trail is moving forward! At the May 27 meeting, the City Council approved a resolution of support for Phase 3 of the Cotton Belt Trail, which runs adjacent to the Dallas Area Rapid Transit's Silver Line, marking a significant step toward completing Addison's portion of this regional trail corridor. The Cotton Belt trail is part of the North Texas Regional Veloweb, an ambitious 2,165-mile network of shared use paths connecting communities form Plano to Fort Worth. 

Phase 3 covers the final segment in Addison, stretching from Marsh Lane to Surveyor Boulevard. If funding is secured through Texas Department of Transportation's Transportation Alternative Set-Aside Program, construction of this phase will be fully covered with no cost to the town. The trail will ultimately provide a continuous path linking Addison to key destinations including DFW Airport, downtown Carrolton, the future Addison Silver Line Station and beyond. 

Thanks to strong regional collaboration with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), and Dallas County, Addison's trail design is now fully funded. The town will assume maintenance responsibilities once construction is complete in mid to late 2026, with a license agreement to be considered at a future Council meeting. 

 


Project Timeline

Project Timeline

1. Midway Road Bridge (Phase I)

Construction Schedule: Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2026. All design and construction documents are complete. Although designated as Phase I, this will be the second segment constructed due to project sequencing. 

2. Surveyor Boulevard to Dallas North Tollway (Phase II)

Construction Schedule: Construction began in June 2025 and is the first phase being completed. Construction is anticipated to be complete in Spring of 2027.

3. Midway Bridge to Marsh Lane (Phase III)

Construction Schedule: Construction will begin when funding is confirmed. 

 

Project Budget

Project Budget

1. Midway Road Bridge (Phase I)

Design and Funding: Design is complete. The project is funded through a $12.2 million grant from the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) Regional Transportation program, with no local match required. 

2. Surveyor Boulevard to Dallas North Tollway (Phase II)

Design and Funding:  Design and Construction Documents are complete. The project is funded with $7.1 million from TxDOT's Transportation Alternatives Funding Program, requiring a $307,469 local match (with Dallas County contributing over $700,000). 

3. Midway Bridge to Marsh Lane (Phase III)

Design and Funding:  Design and construction documents are complete. However, this segment is currently unfunded. A funding request has been submitted to TxDOT's Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program, and the application has advanced to the second phase of review. The Town of Addison has approved a resolution supporting the funding application and if successful, construction costs will be fully funded with no local match required. 

 

Background

This 57-mile trail is designed as a regional expressway for active transportation, serving cyclists, pedestrians and other nonmotorized users. It is a partnership between NCTCOG, the RTC, DART, Dallas County and local municipalities. 

The Cotton Belt Trail in Addison is being constructed in three major segments (phases). Below is a comprehensive list of key details for each segment. 

1. Midway Road Bridge (Phase I)

Scope: This segment covers the critical Midway Road Bridge section, connecting Wheeler Bridge to the new Silver Line Crossing.

Design and Funding: Design is complete. The project is funded through a $12.2 million grant from the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) Regional Transportation program, with no local match required. 

Construction Schedule: Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2026. All design and construction documents are complete. Although designated as Phase I, this will be the second segment constructed due to project sequencing. 

2. Surveyor Boulevard to Dallas North Tollway (Phase II)

Scope: This segment runs from Surveyor Boulevard eastward to the Dallas North Tollway, including the area near the Silver Line Station. The trail will be 12 feet wide in most places, expanding to 14 feet between Addison Road and Quorum Drive. 

Design and Funding:  Design and Construction Documents are complete. The project is funded with $7.1 million from TxDOT's Transportation Alternatives Funding Program, requiring a $307,469 local match (with Dallas County contributing over $700,000). 

Construction Schedule: Construction began in June 2025 and is the first phase being completed. 

3. Midway Bridge to Marsh Lane (Phase III)

Scope: This is the final segment in Addison, stretching from Midway Bridge to Marsh Lane. 

Design and Funding:  Design and construction documents are complete. However, this segment is currently unfunded. A funding request has been submitted to TxDOT's Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program, and the application has advanced to the second phase of review. The Town of Addison has approved a resolution supporting the funding application and if successful, construction costs will be fully funded with no local match required. 

Construction Schedule: Construction will begin when funding is confirmed. 

 

 

Location

Marsh Lane, Arapaho Road, Addison, TX 75001  View Map

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