Hipster Trolley

Get an early ride on the new DART Bishop Arts trolley extension

Streetcar action to Bishop Arts is ready to roll.

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The Dallas Streetcar — the new trolley running from downtown Dallas to Bishop Arts — is about to hit another milestone. On Monday, August 29, the service will officially open two new stops that represent phase two of the route, and it will also step up the frequency.

For those who simply can't wait, the service is offering a sneak peek beginning Monday, August 15.

In preparation for the new expanded service, cars will run every 20 minutes, seven days a week, between Union Station and Beckley; they've currently been running every 30 minutes.

The first trip leaves Union Station at 9:30 am and arrives at Beckley at 9:36 am.

In the other direction, the initial morning trip departs Beckley at 9:53 am and reaches Union Station at 10 am.

The final evening trip times remain unchanged: 11:30 pm outbound from Union Station, and 11:53 pm inbound from Beckley.

These are obviously not commuter trains.

Passenger service to the two new stops — 6th Street and Bishop Arts — will begin with a preview run during regular service hours on Saturday, August 27. The extended route officially launches on August 29, when new Route 723 Bishop Arts Service begins operation over Davis, Polk, Jefferson, and Zang. This will replace that portion of D-Link. The new 723 will be a full-fare local DART bus route.

Although this is a city of Dallas project, the deployment has been overseen by DART. Spokesman Mark Ball calls this sneak peek a trial run to get riders and train operators into the routine.

"The train has been running every 30 minutes, and we've only had one train running," Ball says. "With the shorter schedules, we're increasing the number of trains to two."

One other unique aspect is that the streetcar has a dual power source, in that it runs on both cables and battery. Its source of power comes from cables until it crosses over the bridge, when it reverts to battery power.

"Dallas is one of the first cities in the country to run on dual power," Ball says.

downtown transportation

Nick and Nora news

Dallas takes steps to protect White Rock Lake eaglets as they learn to fly

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Visitors to White Rock Lake may notice new restrictions and barricades near a bald eagle nesting area, as three eaglets begin learning to fly.

According to a release from the City of Dallas, Dallas Park and Recreation is monitoring the eagle couple, affectionately nicknamed "Nick and Nora" by local residents, closely because they now have three young eaglets ready to take flight. (While their exact location is widely known, down to the very tree, this CultureMap story is not going to disclose it out of an abundance of caution for the fragile family.)

The city is asking area visitors to keep noise levels low and dogs on leashes near the nest.

The release says water-filled barricades are in place along East Lawther Drive between the playground and the Dreyfuss split, temporarily affecting vehicle access in the area. Drivers should expect short delays, and cyclists are being asked to slow down nearby. The playground near the nesting zone is also temporarily closed.

Officials say the Dreyfuss area, White Rock Trail, and Lake Highlands Drive will remain open for walking and biking.

The three eaglets are in a developmental phase known as “branching,” when young bald eagles begin leaving the nest and learning to fly. During this period, the eaglets may be seen on the ground or perched in lower tree branches.

Texas Parks and Wildlife officials say this is a particularly sensitive stage because the young birds can appear injured or distressed as they develop their flying skills. Adult eagles may also become more protective during this time.

"Keeping a safe distance helps prevent problems for both the eagle family and park visitors," park officials say.

Dallas Park and Recreation is coordinating with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the eagle family, the release says.

Bald eagles have been spotted near the lake since at least 2019, and have returned in subsequent years to make a nest in the area.

After nearly disappearing decades ago from most of the United States, the bald eagle population is now flourishing across the nation.

Bald eagles are protected under federal law. Disruption of their natural activities is prohibited and a violation of the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. A violation can result in a fine of $100,000, imprisonment for one year, or both.

parks conservation white rock lake animals