The Northaven Trail Pedestrian Bridge Over US 75 Gets Approval from TxDOT

I don’t know if I should be overjoyed, or start buying more Advil. Our Northaven Trail (to which I am addicted) will soon be connected to the White Rock Creek Trail.

Which means, in this house, a whole lot more walking.

My husband sometimes bikes to Texas Healthcare Resources, taking the Northaven Trail from our house down to St. Michaels Drive, where he cuts down to Walnut Hill Lane. The bridge means he can zoom the trail in his e-bike all the way across North Central Expressway, just within the next two years. That’s really great news.

A Jaunt Across Town

I now have two dogs, one with quite a load of energy. Prior to getting her a sister (to help expend that energy), we were walking on the Northaven Trail from Preston Road all the way to Central and back. Now that the baby is four months old, I walk them both. They love the trail and never want to leave it, giving us 4- to 5-mile workouts in temperate weather along with all the runners, cyclists, and other walkers, including dogs.

Which means once the Northaven Trail is connected with the rest of the city, we may just be walking all day.

“This really opens up our Dallas Parks and Recreation trail network for access between North Dallas and other previously unconnected trails east and south,” said Jeff Kitner, president of the Friends of the Northaven Trail.

For example, we will be able to walk the Northaven Trail to the White Rock Creek Trail.

Why am I such a Northaven Trail fan? I love the smooth surface, the soft landscape to the sides (allowing for so much “creative sniffing”), the freedom from traffic (except when crossing busy streets, like Hillcrest), the handy dandy poop bags, rest spots, and even pooh water in the spring.

Bridging The Gap

Late last week, Friends of the Northaven Trail, which oversees maintenance and care of the bike and hike trail, got word that the Texas Department of Transportation had approved the connecting project.

So hello, White Rock Creek Trail, Cottonwood Creek Trail, and other trails east of Central. All will be connected by a very cool bridge over US Highway 75, Central Expressway.

The project, according to TxDOT, will be a textbook example for other municipalities. It will stand “as a regional example of the positive benefits of appropriate location and design aesthetics for future bicycle and pedestrian trails and amenities.” Pretty healthy for local home values, too.

The Northaven Trail runs from North Central Expressway west to Denton Drive. Future plans call for a connection to the White Rock Creek Trail on the east, and Irving’s Campion Trail on the west. 

That’s when I’ll really need Advil!

“This bridge really opens up our Dallas Parks and Recreation trail network for access between North Dallas and other previously unconnected trails east and south,” Kitner said.

The project costs $9.3 million, will be about half a mile long, and is estimated to be completed by late spring.