Residents for Improving Dart Efficiency and Ridership

Letter of Action for dallas mayor and Dallas City council

Letter of Action for Dallas City Council

Enforce DART to become compliant with entire City of Dallas Cotton Belt Resolution,

OR make DART reroute the Cotton Belt away from Far North Dallas,

OR make DART tunnel the train in Far North Dallas.

Far North Dallas - Between Preston Rd & Waterview Pkwy

Date: August 27, 2019

To: Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson & Dallas City Council: Chad West, Adam Medrano, Casey Thomas II, Carolyn King Arnold, Jaime Resendez, Omar Narvaez, Adam Bazaldua, Tennell Atkins, Paula Blackmon, Adam McGough, Lee Kleinman, Cara Mendelsohn, Jennifer S. Gates, David Blewett

The proposed Cotton Belt “Silver Line” diesel hybrid rail project will materially impact Far North Dallas.

Important info regarding the Cotton Belt:

1. Safety will be compromised – Our kids will be at risk walking to/from school and playing in our neighborhoods.

a. 15’ walls mandated by the City of Dallas Resolution are not being followed by DART. Instead, DART is proposing chain link fences in some areas (including 2 schools on the tracks).

2. Train speeds 45 MPH+ - This is faster than current road speed limits, over 2x the speed in school zones.

3. The proposed train schedule has 60-90 trains running a day. The trains are estimated to operate 19 hours per day but could run 23 hours per day (3:00am to 2:00am) like the Texrail.

a. Another cause for concern for the safety of our kids.

b. Traffic and congestion will be a nightmare.

4. Noise Pollution – DART will cause our neighborhood to be extremely noisy with the following:

a. Train horn

b. Crossing signals with bells. Crossing bells will go off every 10 minutes during peak times.

5. DART will be able to run FREIGHT on the entire Cotton Belt tracks except Far North Dallas but will not sign an interlocal agreement to stop freight FOREVER in Far North Dallas. Presents risk to our neighborhood if DART changes course and allows freight in the future. This will multiply our safety, noise, vibration, and traffic concerns.

6. DART is proposing 40’ walls at Coit Road – This is Non-compliant with at-grade or below grade in the City of Dallas Resolution.

7. Home prices will be negatively impacted.

DART is Non-compliant with multiple items of City of Dallas Cotton Belt Resolution which presents increased risk for safety, quality of life, home values, etc. in our neighborhoods.

I want Dallas City Council to:

Enforce DART to Become Compliant with entire City of Dallas Cotton Belt Resolution,

OR make DART reroute the Cotton Belt away from Far North Dallas,

OR make DART tunnel the train in Far North Dallas.

Far North Dallas - Between Preston Rd & Waterview Pkwy

Name

Address

personal Letter & Dallas mayor & city Council emails

Please Send Personal Letter to the emails below:

1) Copy and Paste all of the emails into the To Section

2) Please Include the action items at the bottom

Dallas – Mayor and City Council Emails – Too large for a hyperlink

Personalized Letter – Please include the following somewhere in the letter.

I want Dallas City Council to:

Enforce DART to Become Compliant with entire City of Dallas Cotton Belt Resolution,

OR make DART reroute the Cotton Belt away from Far North Dallas,

OR make DART tunnel the train in Far North Dallas.

Far North Dallas - Between Preston Rd & Waterview Pkwy

R.I.D.E.R.