Fort Worth’s 2026 bond proposal prioritizes transportation upgrades with $476 million earmarked for mobility, reflecting city’s rapid growth and infrastructure demands

Fort Worth, Texas – The Fort Worth City Council began deliberations on Tuesday regarding a substantial $800 million bond program slated for 2026. This program, integral to the city’s infrastructure development, notably focuses on enhancing streets and overall mobility across Fort Worth.

City staff have crafted an initial proposal which earmarks the majority of the bond—59.6% of the total $800 million—towards street and mobility infrastructure improvements. This is in response to the demands posed by the city’s growth and the pressing need for robust transportation solutions. The proposed allocation underscores the city’s commitment to significantly upgrading its transportation framework.

Apart from mobility solutions, the bond program allocates funds to other critical areas: 23.1% is dedicated to parks and open space enhancements, ensuring residents have ample quality recreational areas. Public safety is another key focus, with 8% allocated for improvements mainly for the Fire Department and 911 services. Additionally, the bond will fund enhancements to animal shelter facilities and public libraries, which receive 7.5% and 1.8% of the funds, respectively.

This early proposal also introduces an alternative list of projects totaling $125 million, which nearly made the funding cut and will soon be opened to public commentary. This move aligns with the city’s goal to refine the bond package based on community feedback and needs.

During the council session, City Manager Jay Chapa emphasized the necessity of these projects, particularly the transportation and mobility improvements, which are deemed the greatest need for the city. Chapa suggested revisiting the project list to potentially increase the allocation for these projects from 59.6% to 65%, reflecting the patterns observed in recent bonds supported by Fort Worth voters.

The scope of the bond, however, could change depending on several factors, including property value estimations expected in July from local appraisal districts and the outcomes of several bills currently progressing through the Texas Legislature that could impact funding sources.

Looking forward, the city has laid out a comprehensive plan for public involvement. Starting this spring, Fort Worth will host community engagement meetings across the city, complemented by online surveys and virtual town halls to gather resident feedback. This public input is crucial as it will directly influence the final project list to be ratified by the City Council this fall.

In January 2026, the City Council will decide on proceeding with the bond election, set for May 2026. Ahead of this, the city plans to conduct public education meetings in every council district to ensure residents are well-informed about the bond details.

Fort Worth is eager to involve its residents in the bond planning process. The city encourages feedback through various digital tools like ThoughtExchange and direct email communications, allowing residents to voice their opinions and help shape the final decisions regarding the city’s future investments.