The Wycliffe Avenue Reconstruction Project, planned to begin next year, would replace a dangerous Highland Park dam with one which in the event of failure shouldn’t result in loss of life.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) ranks the dam where Wycliffe and Fitzhugh avenues meet at Turtle Creek as a high hazard now.
Town leaders would expect a reclassification to low after a $22 million, multi-agency infrastructure project transforms the dam and neighboring streets.
The project has been designed and revised with public input. On June 18, a few residents posed queries about timelines, street closures, and resident access to homes, while several praised the project during and after a public meeting — in both formal town hall discussion and informal hallway conversation.Town leaders expect reconstruction of the existing dam and bridge to begin in January 2026 and span 20 to 24 months.
Director of engineering Lori Chapin outlined the plan for community members, calling it a technical and legal necessity to reduce the high hazard flood risk potential for loss of human life and significant damage to homes, important public utilities, and main streets.
The effort follows years of phased planning to also enhance emergency response and was shaped in part by active multi-jurisdictional legal discussions, which initially limited the town’s ability to share details publicly.
A phased construction schedule will minimize disruption, said Chapin, with rotating closures of key roads including Wycliffe Avenue, Fitzhugh Avenue, St. Johns Drive, and Turtle Creek Boulevard. Emergency vehicle access will remain fully operational, and traffic control measures will be implemented to maintain safety.
Roughly 72% of project funding will come from federal, state, regional, and neighboring partners. In addition to dam replacement, the project includes utility upgrades benefiting Highland Park, University Park, and Dallas, along with improved drainage, traffic flow, and floodplain reduction, she said.
To keep residents informed on timelines, key project elements, and what to expect as the project progresses, the Town will utilize its existing communication platforms — including the Town’s website, social media channels, newsletters, and Blue Zone notifications.
An Owner’s Representative has been assigned exclusively to the project to serve as an on-the-ground resource to oversee daily activities, coordinate with contractors, and help communicate directly with affected residents and stakeholders, Chapin said. To ensure transparency, minimize disruptions, and provide residents with timely and accurate information, a designated project website has also been created.
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