The Eastside Transit Plan in Fort Worth is sparking concerns within the local community.

Fort Worth is pressing ahead with a comprehensive plan to revamp transit services on the city’s eastside.

The city council has given its endorsement to the Eastside Transportation Plan, which promises substantial upgrades amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars in the I-30 and East Lancaster Avenue vicinity.

While city leaders hail the plan as a transformative initiative for neighborhoods in need of revitalization, some residents have expressed apprehensions regarding its potential impact on their communities.

During their meeting on January 23, the Fort Worth city council ratified a resolution in support of the Eastside Transportation Plan, touted by officials as one of the most significant transit undertakings in the city in four decades.

“This demonstrates our commitment as a city, and most importantly as a community, to redevelop East Lancaster as a vibrant corridor,” explained Lauren Prieur, Director of Transportation and Public Works for Fort Worth.

The initiative aims to reconstruct sections of East Lancaster Avenue and I-30, laying the groundwork for enhanced mass transit options and the forthcoming introduction of high-speed rail.

Transportation authorities assert that the east side requires a transit overhaul to facilitate smoother movement of people and attract more investment to historically underserved communities.

“A vibrant corridor entails integrating features like fiber optics, electric vehicle charging stations, advanced traffic signals, and rapid transit into this corridor redesign,” Prieur elaborated.

Phase One of the project is projected to cost $182 million and will focus on enhancing sections of I-30 and East Lancaster situated to the west of I-820.

Subsequent phases will address the area east of I-820, where certain communities have voiced concerns.

“The latest plans depict this section as six lanes wide,” noted Julie Ledford, an advocate for the Historic Handley area.

East Lancaster Avenue traverses Historic Handley, an urban village renowned for its boutique wedding shops.

Renderings from the Eastside Transportation Plan website illustrate a 46-foot expansion of the roadway in the area, prompting concerns among advocates that such enlargement could impact historic structures and escalate traffic near their businesses.

“It’s not ideal, and I’m unsure why it’s necessary,” remarked Julie West, proprietor of Paper Planet. “I don’t believe the traffic justifies it.”

“It would be even more hazardous than it already is, and that truly worries me,” she added.

NBC 5 brought these concerns to the attention of Fort Worth city officials.

Authorities stated that the project’s design has yet to be finalized, and the upcoming year will involve community consultations and environmental assessments.

“The city has acknowledged the community’s concerns, and these are being conveyed in our feedback to TXDOT,” Prieur assured. “It’s crucial to recognize that TXDOT ultimately owns this corridor and will make the final decisions.”

Construction on the Eastside Transportation Plan is scheduled to commence in 2027 and conclude in 2029. More details about the city’s initiatives can be found here.