Do you ride the White Rock trail? - Read This.
White Rock Trail
2010-08-17 Article in Dallas Morning news:
White Rock Trail cyclists to get detour around construction
Cyclists crossing Northwest Highway on the White Rock Trail at Lawther Drive will soon have a detour around the road construction. The Texas Department of Transportation is building a path at the traffic signal just west of the trail. The route, which will cross Northwest Highway and pass the nearby White Rock DART station, will be used during the next 18 months of construction, the state agency said. See entire article
2010-08-09 - No doubt numerous cyclist have been hassled by the police at White Rock Lake for rolling through stops signs. I have been the recipient of several warnings and one ticket (which was dropped by the prosecuting attorney). I was wondering what dialogue has been exchanged on the subject and thought maybe you might know?
I have a simple solution to the problem in the park and the surrounding streets that cyclist use while riding at the lake. "Yield" signs should replace certain "Stop" signs. This will give the cycles the ability to roll the intersection without stopping, as well as cars. Some discussion on cost and placement will be required, but I think it would serve both the police and the cyclist with a clear indication of what to do at certain intersections and provide some common ground.
2010-08-09 I estimate have ridden over 2000 miles around the lake this year. While I do not stop at the stop signs, I do slow down and look both ways and I have never been harnessed by the cops. I suspect the bikers getting tickets are the ones who blow through the stop signs at top speed. I suspect that yield signs would only encourage more bikers to blow through the intersections. - John
2010-07-13 - Rode the trail this morning. Light and traffic at NW Hwy was normal. On the way back, around noon, the traffic on Lawther was restricted to left turns only. Bicycles could cross but NW Hwy traffic did not stop. Not a problem at noon but the early mornings could be scary. - John
2010-07-12 - More from Bob Murdoch, through a DORBA posting... there will be a pathway created, but not this week... So as of now, the way across NWHwy to WRL at W. Lawther will be closed later this week.
<< Basically the path will go underneath the already competed section of the new bridge. This will require 2 separate signalized crossings of Northwest Highway, several hard 90 degree turns and lots of signage. Walking of your bike through this maze is suggested. Nevertheless, this is probably the best option with the least amount of detour and a reasonable amount of safety. Plans will be drawn and funding is being sought. It won't be in place for the closure on July 13, but, if things go according to plan, with minimal disruption - (read: give them a chance to work this out) the crossing should be open within a few weeks. >>
2010-07-07 - From Bob Murdoch, GDB:
Today (Tuesday) there was a meeting with TXDOT, & representatives from the city of Dallas, bikeDFW, CC Young Retirement Community. Dallas Bike Works owner was unable to come but an email he wrote with his points was read. The user groups, bicyclist and pedestrians/DART rider working at CC Young and Dallas Bike Works needs and ideas were presented and TXDOT listened. TXDOT is taking the option which will maintain access thru the construction at W Lawther Dr and NW Hwy; their engineers will now take those ideas and see how it will work. There may be short temporary closures due the construction but no long continuous closures. Thanks to TXDOT and city of Dallas officials for working with us.
The first note was written by Bob Murdoch. Above that is the answer he recieved. - John
2010-06-28 - OK I have spoken to Jeff Bush, TXDOT engineer, and he to follow up with an email about this, too. The road way under construction now is the westbound lanes of NW Hwy. at W Lawther Dr. to connect the new road way to the existing road way near the DART overpass the NW Hwy / Lawther intersection must be raised a number of feet (6' - 10'is my guess). In making that connection north-south traffic on W Lawther Dr. will be blocked for trucks, cars, bicyclist, skaters & pedestrians, for a time (against guessing from current construction, min. 6 - 12 months). They are expecting bicyclist to go over Flag Pole Hill, down via Doran Circle to the NW Hwy / N Buckner Blvd. intersection and ride down Buckner, crossing a lane NW Hwy merging traffic which does not stop, to that first E Lawther Dr exit ramp just south of NW Hwy. Friends, I ride the streets, I have tried this before and its is NOT something I wish try again and for most bicyclist they won't. This will block most bicyclist access to the lake by bike and this is a major north-south bicycle commuting route too. Plus it’s diverting on-bicycle traffic away from Dallas Bike Works and making car traffic to the shop difficult (no left turns on to W Lawther Dr. from west or east bound directions). Please quickly this week, today, contact city councilperson, state representative and state senator for you district and Councilman Shaffie Kadane, State Rep. Allen Vaught, and State Senator John Carona their districts encompasses the intersection in question. This is happening quickly. Act quickly!!
2010-06-29 - Driving down NW Hwy heading home today, the status board over the road said W Walther closing July 13th. - C.T.
2010-06-29
Mr. Murdoch,
I have received your query from Councilman Kadane's office seeking data regarding the closing of some of the trails in White Rock Lake Park. You also indicated that your were going to contact Councilman Allen, so I am also copying his office on this reply as well.
TxDOT will be closing the crossing of the north-south bike trail at West Lawther Drive to traffic in order to construct the elevated intersection approach, to the elevated bridges on the Northwest Highway at White Rock Creek. An alternative route to crossing the Northwest Highway will be provided at Buckner Blvd at the Northwest Highway. We have been meeting with the City and Park department staff to work out the details of the proposed alternative route, which will be in place for about two years, until the bridge construction is completed ( Spring 2012). |
We have looked at the design details several times and there is no rational alternative to the phased construction design that is in place on the project. We will keep east and west bound vehicular access open on the Northwest Highway, at the intersection of West Lawther Drive, so that the businesses located there will have public access to their business.
Upon completion of the project, a new protected ( north-south) dedicated bike and pedestrian route (passage way) under the Northwest Highway at West Lawther Drive will be available as well as a new one mile dedicated bike and pedestrian trail from the DART Station to Goforth Drive at Flag Pole Hill will be opened to the public.
We regret that their will be a temporary inconvenience to the public as part of the construction phase of this project; but it cannot be avoided if we are to build the improvements.
Sincerely yours,
RCM
