Construction began Thursday on Hillcrest Road, a major thoroughfare in North Dallas, with a year-long roadblock due to the ongoing construction of DART’s 27-mile Silver Line, set to connect Plano and DFW Airport by late 2025.
The closure, located just south of McCallum Boulevard, is necessary to build a Hillcrest Road underpass beneath the Silver Line railway.
A community meeting regarding the project was held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Anne Frank Elementary School, situated at 5201 Celestial Road, near Montford and south of Beltline Road in North Dallas.
The Silver Line segment passing through North Dallas cuts through residential areas, prompting concerns from residents who had advocated for the line to be buried in a tunnel instead. They now face new worries about construction detours.
Resident Jocelyn Ickes expressed concerns about the streets not being equipped to handle the increased traffic during construction.
Alternate routes will be necessary during the underpass construction, but DART Spokesman Gordon Shattles assured that the complete closure will enhance safety and expedite construction.
Dallas City Councilmember Cara Mendelsohn highlighted challenges posed by rail construction obstacles on alternate routes like Coit Road.
Residents also raised concerns about emergency response routes typically relying on Hillcrest, given the closure’s impact on police and fire services.
Shattles addressed flooding concerns by stating that the underpass project includes redundant pump capabilities to manage water accumulation.
While some construction projects benefit neighbors upon completion, immediate residents may not benefit directly from the Silver Line stations.
A hike and bike path will be integrated into the finished project along the former Cotton Belt Rail line.
Despite criticisms regarding demand, DART remains committed to completing the Silver Line, slated for late 2025.
