Last night, Coppell deputy city manager Traci Leach appeared before the Coppell City Council for the ninth time since 2019 to discuss enhancements for the Silver Line Regional Rail Project between Coppell and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). 

The council unanimously approved the First Amendment of the Interlocal Agreement between both parties, which confirms that the city will provide $1,018,640 to DART to implement the project. 

The Silver Line Regional Rail Project will connect Grapevine, Coppell, Dallas, Carrollton, Addison, Richardson and Plano to the DFW Airport and the northern portion of the DART service area. The project is due to be completed at the end of 2022. 

“This has been a journey, but DART has been a great partner for us,” Leach said. “We have gone through a lot of vetting, both from the council and from DART, so we are finally taking some action on this First Amendment. I want to make sure that the council is aware this is something we are committing to in terms of our future with maintenance and improvements.”

The amendment also includes $34,381 that will be given to DART for additional improvements, such as upgrading the elevated crossing at South Belt Line Road and creating quiet zones at Royal Lane and Freeport Parkway. Quiet zones are sections of rail line that are in a public crossing area, where the horns of the locomotives are not routinely sounded. 

The council also formally called the General Municipal Election for City Council Place 2, 4, 6 and Mayor for May 1. A Special Election for Place 3 will be held the same day, as Place 3 councilman Wes Mays has announced he is running for mayor.

The filing period for Special Election for Place 3 is Jan. 27 through March 1.  The Coppell ISD Board of Trustees election for Place 6 and 7 will take place on May 1 as well. 

The council also received updates about regional school districts and local programming. Place 4 councilman Gary Roden reported on activities at the Coppell Senior Center. Two months ago, Roden began working with Coppell program coordinator Pam Walker to establish a virtual greeting and update session with seniors. 

“I know that our seniors who participated in [in-person] programs are extremely anxious to get started again,” Roden said. “One of the things I miss each month are the in-person lunches with the seniors and the opportunity to give them an update on the city. We’re trying to do everything we can to keep them involved and in touch.”

The next city council meeting will take place on Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m.