Denton Trails Part 5 Concept: Locust / UPRR Trail
Can you imagine riding a bike or a scooter to downtown from north of US 380 or south of Eagle? Read on to learn one way this could become not just possible, but enjoyable.
This is part five in the Denton Trails series, a series that thinks through what a low-stress multimodal transportation network would look like in Denton. It draws inspiration from other trail systems, proposes core principles we could use in developing our own system, and envisions several trail concepts and how they could form the core of a bike and walk portion of our upcoming mobility plan. Please join me as you walk, scoot, or ride through these musings:
Part 1: Why Trails?
Part 2: City Trails Inspiration
Part 3: Recreational Trails Inspiration
Part 4: Five Pillars of Trail Success
Part 5 Concept: Locust / UPRR Trail
Part 6 Concept: Pecan Creek Trail
Part 7 Concept: University Trails
Part 8: 35E Crossing Improvements
Part 9: Concept: Downtown Connectivity
Part 10: Mobility Plan Integration
Part 11: Bond Election — Make your voice heard
Our regional planning organization NCTCOG has a matrix of 2045 Regional Veloweb trail routes identified. One of these is along our Union Pacific Railroad corridor, which would stretch from Hickory Creek in the south, along 377 through downtown and then northeast along Mingo. At the same time, the city is in talks to take over design and maintenance of a package of roads from TxDOT control and financing, including Locust, Elm, and a few other roads. Combine a route along the railroad and Locust street together, and we have our first potential trail that would connect people to the following amenities:
- Downtown
- 1 Middle school (Strickland)
- TWU
- 2 Elementary schools (Borman, Evers)
- 2 Grocery stores (La Azteca, Natural Grocers)
- 2 Regional parks and one rec center (Evers, Quakertown, Denia)
- 1 Major multifamily population center (area bordered by Eagle, Ft. Worth Dr., Dallas Dr., Teasley, and 35E)
- Terminate at the existing Cooper Creek trail on the north, and the Bonnie Brae sidepath southwest of town
This trail would simultaneously unify our existing and funded low-stress routes into a network, and connect communities in the north and south to downtown, across 35E and University Drive. Shown in yellow and starting from the south, this trail would connect Denia Park and the recreation center, cross 377, pass by La Azteca, and then cross underneath I35E on the existing overpass crossing the railway corridor. But how is that possible?
Union Pacific is erecting a temporary rail bridge above 377 to allow the roadway to be widened before constructing a final longer railway bridge along the original tracks and demolishing the temporary bridge. Might it be possible for them to keep the temporary rail bridge and repurpose it as a trail bridge across 377?
It would then go right through the heart of one of the most recently developed multifamily and student housing centers in town containing seven apartment complexes with two more multifamily projects coming. At this point it would split to go either to the downtown DCTA station, or turn north and cross Eagle to follow Locust Street along a protected bike lane or physically protected lane or cycle track through downtown, intersecting with the funded Sycamore sidepath. Imagine a first-class entry with a high-comfort path for people walking and biking into our downtown from the south.
Passing by the square, it would go by countless local businesses and nearby Quakertown park and TWU before crossing University. Then it would cross the bike lane at Windsor providing access to Strickland Middle School, Evers Elementary, and North Branch Library, before terminating at a junction to the existing Cooper Creek Trail.
But working with UPRR could prove difficult and the turnover of Locust Street north of Eagle Drive from TxDOT to the city could be delayed. So here are three alternative sections of this route with less interagency work.
Southern alternate
The southern alternate route shown in red could start at Bonnie Brae(A) instead of the future Hickory Creek Trail, and follow Roselawn east, turning north as it meets the railroad track(B), following it to 377. Near the Roselawn crossing of 377, a HAWK beacon (A High-intensity Activated crossWalK beacon which gives pedestrians priority over cars at a crossing) could be installed allowing safe trail passage(C). Alternatively, it could cross on the previously mentioned railway bridge. After the crossing, the trail can follow S. Locust Street up to 35E. The one section where coordination with Union Pacific would be required is to gain access under 35E(D), but immediately after the crossing, the trail could divert along S. Locust Street all the way up to Eagle(E).
Central alternate
The next section between Eagle and the Sycamore sidepath could be diverted off Locust if necessary, and use Wainwright. The path would veer to the right from S Locust Street to the Eagle and Dallas Drive intersection(A), cross Eagle Drive, and then continue on the west side of S Bell Ave. for about 200 feet(B) until it veers left along Wainwright all the way up to Sycamore(C).
Northern alternate
The section north of Sycamore could follow Industrial to Oakland(A), or alternatively jog through the parking lot between the NCTC garage and Victoria Station and up Russell(B), where the dumpsters were recently removed, and then continuing to Oakland. From Oakland it would cross McKinney at the existing flashing yellow crossing ©, run through Quakertown Park, and then along Oakland(D) until it cuts across the TWU campus to get to the Bell Ave crossing of University (E). It could then follow N Bell all the way up until it intersects with N Locust, where an already existing pathway connects N Bell to the Cooper Creek Trail (F).
It is possible to connect these destinations and high density residences. Do you live north or south of downtown and feel like you currently have to drive to get there? Would you feel different and maybe take your bike sometimes, creating more downtown parking for others, if a safe route like this were available?
What about those east or west of Downtown, and where can we incorporate open space and riparian areas into our trails for a delightful experience? Next up, Part 6 Concept: Pecan Creek Trail.
