Interstate 35 tore Oak Cliff neighborhoods apart when it was built in the 1960s.
A new plan to build a deck park, similar to Downtown’s Klyde Warren Park, over I-35 would connect central Oak Cliff to the Dallas Zoo and could begin to undo some of that damage.
Neighbors Paul Carden and Katherine Homan pushed for the deck park to be added to the $665-million Southern Gateway plan to rebuild Interstates 35 and 67, and their work is paying off.
An artist’s rendering of the proposed deck park over Interstate 35.
The deck park would cost about $50 million.
Here is the breakdown:
$20 million from the Texas Department of Transportation to build the foundation and infrastructure,
$20 million from the North Central Texas Council of Governments for the deck structure,
$10 million match from the city of Dallas or private donations for the park surface and amenities.
The city would be responsible for operation and maintenance of the park.
Neighbors also pushed for the following stipulations of the new I-35 through Oak Cliff:
*Stay as much as possible within the current footprint, making it no higher or wider than it currently is,
*Built the interstate below grade or install sound walls in residential areas to reduce noise,
*Pedestrian amenities such as service road sidewalks and access across the freeway,
*Others features such as landscaping, service roads and improved access.
The council of governments’ regional transportation council is expected to approve these suggestions at its meeting Thursday.
