Dallas Area Rapid Transit's Cotton Belt line is expected to become operational in 2022.

Funds granted by a regional transportation council will pave the way for a new trail to be constructed in Plano along the future east-west Cotton Belt passenger rail line.Announced by the North Central Texas Council of Governments on Oct. 11, the $8.2 million expenditure will be used for the engineering design of the trail, which will stretch from the future Shiloh Road station in Plano to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, according to a news release.The city of Plano has independently begun construction on a portion of the trail that will span from a station near downtown Plano into the city of Richardson.“The plan is for it to link up with a piece of trail that is under construction right now in Plano along the red line corridor and between the 12th street station and the Cityline/Bush station ,” park planning Manager Renee Jordan said.The parks and recreation department is also seeking additional funding from NCTCOG for the construction of the new trail, which will span from two future Cotton Belt stations, one at Shiloh Road and another at 12th Street near downtown Plano.[The] engineering is valued at approximately $750,000,” Jordan said. "And then the construction of that portion of trail is about $3.8 million, and we are seeking funding for that through another program."