Richardson City Council Approves Resolution for Work on New Trails
State Farm Campus – Plano Road, just south of the PGB Tollway
From last week’s city newsletter:
The City Council on Monday approved a resolution that advances the development of a trail system near the future State Farm campus and surrounding area. The resolution authorizes BCS West Land Investments to design and construct the trail along Routh Creek Parkway from Renner Road to the nearby DART rail station.
The City has obtained a Regional Toll Revenue grant to fund approximately 80 percent of the trail. Once complete, the trail will tie in to the City’s Central Trail, which will eventually run from north to south across the entire City.
Trail Along Routh Creek Parkway, heading north to Renner Road
Trail Under Renner Road Is Complete
The trail under Renner Road is finally complete (although not officially opened). Check out the video from the north side to the south:
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Trail Under Renner Progress – Forms Are Up, Cement Is Being Poured
It’s been a couple of weeks since our last progress report. The city is finally getting close to completing the trail under Renner Road. All of the forms are up and they’ve started pouring the concrete on the north side. What’s interesting about this part of the process, compared to when they worked on the trail under Central, is that the side rail is already up. My guess is that it’s because of safety issues – since there’s a 12 foot drop on the other side.
Here are some pics:
Forms Leading From The Existing Spring Creek Trail - South Side Of Renner
Forms Continue Under Renner Road - Facing North
View Of Where Forms Meet Concrete Under Renner Road - Facing South
North Side Of Renner Road Facing South. Note Side Rail.
View Of The Trail Connection, North Side Of Renner - Facing North
View From Above - On Renner Road (east bound traffic)
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Major Progress With The Trail Under Renner Road
It’s been a few weeks since we reported on the Spring Creek Trail construction under Renner Road. When we checked on Labor Day, they had started to back-fill the area inside of the retaining wall. But, last week, it actually looked like some of that was dug back up.
This week, however, the underpass looks much more complete. Most of the inside area has been filled and now it looks like it’s well on it’s way to having the actual trail forms built.
Here are some pics:
Facing North From The South Side Of Renner
Here You Can See How Much They Filled In
Under Renner Facing North
Facing South (under Renner)
To see more posts about this and other Spring Creek Trail upgrades, click over to the Maps section of this site.
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Spring Creek Trail: North Of Renner Road – A Progress Report
Do you remember when Bob reported about this trail over a year ago? Back then it was just an open field and a plan to extend the Spring Creek Trail from the Renner Road at Central Expressway rest stop to Alma Road at the PGB Tollway. We’re happy to report that, over a year later, the trail is mostly – and we stress mostly – complete. Unfortunately, two key portions that will connect it to the Spring Creek Trail are far from complete. Both the passages under Renner Road and Central Expressway still have a long way to go.
Like with the central underpass, just south of Renner, contractors didn’t quite make the goal of February 2011 completion. Considering how bad some of last winter’s snow storms were, the setbacks are understandable.
That didn’t stop us from taking a spin to investigate the progress. Check out some of the shots from the upcoming trail (Click on the map above to see these pics in context).
Passage Under Renner Road - Still Flooded
Trail North Of Renner Road To Central Expressway
Passage Under Central Expressway
West Trail From Central Towards The PGB Tollway
Under The PGB Tollway - Facing West
Under The PGB Tollway - Facing East
Trail Emerging Out From Under The PGB Tollway
End Of The Trail At Alma And PGB Tollway
Some folks have questioned the purpose of this trail. Although it will provide a safe passage under Central Expressway, it really doesn’t provide much of a connection between east and west Richardson. Once it connects to Alma Road, it just stops. Well, according to the Richardson Bicycle-Pedestrian Trailways Plan, it will eventually continue along the PGB Tollway as well as the planned Cottenbelt Trail.
We’d like to see Dallas and Plano provide connections to both north and south Preston Ridge Trail. Fingers crossed.
Follow our coverage of this trail construction:
November 28, 2010
September 26, 2010
August 28, 2010
August 21, 2010
July 25, 2010
June 13, 2010
May 8, 2010
April 3, 2010
March 11, 2010
December 5, 2010
February 13, 2011
March 6, 2011
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More Trail Progress
It’s amazing what could happen in a week. They had the forms set up last weekend for the addition to the trail at Renner Road and Central. This week we have about 70-80 yards of hike and bike trail, leading us closer to the pass under Central. Check back and we’ll keep you posted with more progress as it happens.
Last Weekend
Today
More to come...
On a side note, I met a really nice lady on the bike trails today. Jill was getting back on the bike for the first time in years. I told her about BFR and she seemed excited about the idea of a group that is more about riding for fun or utility over sport. Seems, like with most of us, the intimidation of the sport cycling culture has kept her off the bike. We hope to see more riders, like Jill, rediscover the enjoyment of riding their bikes – at their own pace.
Follow our coverage of this trail construction:
July 25, 2010
June 13, 2010
May 8, 2010
April 3, 2010
March 11, 2010
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Bike Friendly Richardson 
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