Transportation and infrastructure upgrades take center stage in Fort Worth’s $840 million bond proposal

Fort Worth, Texas – Fort Worth city councilmembers reviewed and provided feedback Tuesday on an updated proposal for the city’s 2026 bond program, which places a strong emphasis on improving transportation infrastructure. City staff is currently shaping an $840 million package that will go before voters in May 2026. The bond is being developed with the commitment of no property tax increase, continuing the city’s four-year cycle for such programs. The last bond was approved by voters in 2022.

The proposed breakdown shows that a significant majority—61.5% of the total funds—would be directed toward streets and mobility infrastructure improvements. Parks and open space projects would receive 22% of the funding, while public safety improvements, primarily for the Fire Department and 911 systems, would get 7.6%. Animal shelter facility upgrades are slated for 7.1% of the funds, and public library improvements would receive 1.7%.

Originally, city staff had planned for an $800 million program, but updated property value estimates from the Tarrant Appraisal District increased the city’s bond capacity to $840 million. Staff recommended directing the additional $40 million entirely toward streets and mobility improvements, splitting it evenly between bridge work and minor roadway reconstruction on neighborhood streets.

Community Engagement and Next Steps
An evolving list of proposed projects for the 2026 bond program has been compiled by the Fort Worth Lab for review and input from both the City Council and residents. City officials are launching an extensive public engagement process to ensure the community helps shape the final list of projects.

From August through October, residents will be able to participate online through two interactive tools:

• Storymap – A visual, map-based platform allowing users to explore proposed projects by district. Each project includes detailed descriptions, and residents can use integrated features like Balancing Act directly within the map.

• Balancing Act – An interactive budgeting simulation where participants can allocate bond funds across various project categories, receiving instant feedback on their choices and priorities.

Starting in October, hybrid community meetings will be held in every council district to gather more localized feedback. These meetings will coincide with outreach for the city’s 2050 Comprehensive Plan, giving residents multiple opportunities to weigh in on future development and infrastructure needs.

By the end of 2025, the City Council will finalize the project list based on the combined input from the public and council discussions. In January 2026, the council will officially call for the bond election, followed by a series of public education meetings in the spring to explain the ballot propositions in detail.

If approved by voters in May 2026, the $840 million bond program will fund critical infrastructure, improve parks and public facilities, and enhance neighborhood streets without raising property taxes, marking another significant step in Fort Worth’s long-term growth and development strategy.