DART Silver Line construction closes busy road for a year
DALLAS - Dallas Area Rapid Transit began a new project on Thursday that could cause headaches for commuters in Far North Dallas. Part of a busy roadway will be shut down for a full year.
On Thursday morning, crews closed the portion of Hillcrest Road between McCallum Boulevard and Wester Way.
Detours were put in place to direct traffic to Coit Road and Preston Road, and digital signs were added to warn drivers about the closure.
It's all to work on a new portion of the Silver Line project.
The Silver Line will be a 26-mile-long commuter train line that will connect seven North Texas cities from Plano to Grapevine to DFW Airport. It will also interchange with the TexRail train that already connects Fort Worth to the airport.
Some people who live in the area said they are prepared for the next 52 weeks of construction because they believe in just a few years it will all pay off.
"This is all very new to people in North Texas in general. But just give it some time and you will see the benefits. It may not be in a year or two, but three to five years down the road you'll see it," said Ken Chuney, a North Dallas resident. "It's an inconvenience. It's a hassle. But you work around it."
Other residents and even some city leaders have expressed safety concerns.
Back in 2022, they pushed to have the train go below streets in some locations.
DART's new silver line continues facing backlash from some homeowners
DART's new CEO agreed to go on a tour Wednesday led by one of the most vocal critics of the agency's plans to build the silver line, a 26-mile project through Dallas and six northern suburbs.
DART denied that request. However, it did add more sound walls and there will be a hike and bike trail along the entire 26 miles of the track.
Work on this portion of the project is located in Dallas but also near the Plano and Richardson borders. It's in a Plano ISD school zone.
DART said it is working closely with city and school district officials to provide updates on the closure and ensure safety.
The Silver Line is expected to be up and running by the end of next year or the beginning of 2026.