Arlington’s River Legacy Parks Hike and Bike Trail Extension Soon Under Way
By Susan Schrock
Posted on January 24, 2018, January 24, 2018

 River Legacy Parks

Construction of Arlington's portion of the hike and bike trail linking Dallas to Fort Worth along the Trinity River will soon be under way.

The $1.3 million, half-mile trail connection, expected to be complete by mid-September, will fill in one of the gaps in what will eventually become a 60-mile-long trail system along the Trinity River between Dallas and Fort Worth. These pathways are designed to create inviting amenities for long-distance runners, cyclists, and others who enjoy the outdoors. The 7-mile long trail through River Legacy Parks, the crown jewel of Arlington's park system, is currently the largest continuous section in the regional hike and bike trail system.

This future section of trail will extend north from the existing 7 Mile Marker in the River Legacy Parks, curve around the western side of Riverside Golf Club and continue east to end at the SH 360 right of way. The new section will help link Arlington to Fort Worth and eventually to Grand Prairie and the Trinity Railway Express rail station in Fort Worth.

A Transportation Alternative Program Grant from the Texas Department of Transportation will cover $461,532 of Arlington's trail linkage project. The remaining portion will be paid for from the Arlington Parks and Recreation capital project budget.

The project, which was awarded last fall to Northstar Construction, LLC of Fort Worth, includes building a 12-foot-wide concrete trail, two pedestrian bridges over small tributaries, retaining walls, benches and directional/location signage.

As part of its priority to Champion Great Neighborhoods, the Arlington City Council supports projects such as trails that are designed to improve the quality of life for residents. The trail connectivity between Fort Worth and Dallas will also help Enhance Regional Mobility, another City Council priority.

While most of the construction will be in River Legacy Parks, two portions of trail will run through Viridian, a residential community bordering the park.

Champion Great Neighborhoods, Enhance Regional Mobility, River Legacy Park
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