Army Corps Finally Clears Way for Dallas' Trinity River Project

A long time coming—the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers now supports a comprehensive plan to transform the Trinity River in Dallas.

1 minute read

April 29, 2015, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"[Dallas'] long-standing plans for parks, improved levees and a road in the Trinity River corridor got the green light Monday from the Army Corps of Engineers, clearing the way for Dallas to pursue federal funding for the project," report Elizabeth Findell and Brandon Formby.

The record of decision (RoD), the technical term for the Army Corps of Engineers action, concludes "that no environmental or hydrological concerns should preclude the project," according to the article. With the RoD in place, the city can move forward with a $572 million comprehensive plan in the works since the mid-1990s.

It's important to note that the decision does not directly impac the controversial Trinity Toll Road proposal. The RoD approves the city's plans for the Trinity corridor with the road or without it.

As for what the comprehensive plan entails: "Dallas’ vision for the Trinity corridor — now little more than an uninviting ditch in places — calls for lakes, plazas, green spaces, athletic fields, trails, an amphitheater and other attractions." The article includes more details on the project, including some of the improvements made in recent years along the corridor by the city and the Texas Department of Transportation.

Rudolph Bush followed the release of the RoD with an op-ed explaining the importance of the Army Corps' decision to the improvement of the Trinity River plan.

Monday, April 27, 2015 in The Dallas Morning News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight