Bike-to-Work on Friday and See What a Difference You Can Make

The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) would like to invite you to participate in National Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 15, 2009. You are encouraged to take this day as an opportunity to break out of the regional habit of driving to work alone – the habit of 79% of regional commuters – in support of alternative commuting for one day. We realize that the infrastructure to support bicycle commuting is under development in many areas of the region and comfort levels for on-street riding are diverse, however, the physical, environmental, and mental rewards of commuting by alternative modes are numerous. Follow the steps below to celebrate National Bike to Work Day and assist NCTCOG in tracking the impact of alternative transportation.

By Marc Mumby

BikeDFW Member and Trail Scout

The High Five interchange between Interstate 635 (LBJ) and US75/Central Expressway is a prominent Dallas landmark. Thousands of cars soar across its overpasses and down its ski slope-like ramps every day. What the drivers, and most other people don't know, is that way down below, a ribbon of concrete skirts along Cottonwood Creek as it meanders under the High Five. Many cyclists have heard of this trail, but few have ever seen it and it has remained a mysterious "bike path to nowhere."

The concrete path under the High Five is part of the Cottonwood Trail project that will eventually link the White Rock Creek Trail with the Preston Ridge Trail in Richardson. Thanks to the foresight of regional transportation planners, construction of the bicycle/pedestrian path was included in the High Five project. Although the High Five, and the path under it, were completed in December of 2005, work on the Cottonwood Trail (which is needed it connect it to something) was delayed until the beginning of this year. I talked to Jared White in the Planning and Design Division of the Dallas Parks and Recreation Department who has been involved in the project for the last 5 years. Mr. White explained that "the delay was due to the sheer complexity of the project and the number of agencies involved." The Cottonwood Creek Trail project is a joint effort of the City of Dallas and Dallas County who coordinate with TXDOT (who built the section under the High Five), Texas Instruments (who owns some of the property where the trail is located), and the City of Richardson to name a few. In addition, sections of the trail run along a flood plain, adding another layer of complexity to the design and construction.

While riding home from work last Saturday, I decided to take a little detour to check out this mysterious path and progress on the Cottonwood Trail. The trail is not officially open, so my two-wheeled excursion into the depths of the High Five required some, umm... creative maneuvering around and over concrete barriers and chain-link fences. I wouldn't recommend trying it unless you're riding fat tires.

Read on for a photo travel log of my trip!

Update on Dec. 2, 2009. Jared White from Dallas Parks and Rec was gracious enough to call back with more details on the time table. The current construction (described under "Read More") is scheduled for completion in March of 2010. Bidding for construction of the southern extension of the trail from Hamilton Park to the White Rock Creek Trail will start in early 2010 with estimated completion in late 2010.