Today is Election Day.

Yes, it’s an off-year election. No senators, congressmen or presidents are on the ballot; but there is an issue that will be decided here in Dallas that will change the shape of the city, figuratively and literally.

Citizens of Dallas head to polls today to decide whether to continue work on the Trinity River project or to indefinitely grind it to a halt.

Count us among the group of people that are tired of all the talk about the Trinity and are ready to see action – which is why we want all of the plans to go forward. There have already been enough delays and rewrites of the plans to make the Trinity River into a gathering place and install a much needed reliever road along the downtown side of the project. We don’t need any more.

Here’s where it gets slightly confusing. If you agree with us, and we hope you do, then you need to vote AGAINST the proposition. The wording of the ballot measure would prohibit any construction or money to be spent on the project. Is it kind of backward? Yes. But voting AGAINST the proposition ensures that work can continue on the project.

And the Trinity River project can only be a good thing for SMU and its students, staff and faculty. SMU sells itself as a small university in an urban setting. How amazing would it be to drive 10 minutes and have an afternoon in a new Trinity River park with a small lake and trees? The more adventurous would be able to enjoy everything that the deep woods part of the project offers.

The most controversial part of the referendum – the toll road – is also much needed. Anyone who has been in Dallas more than a month knows to avoid the downtown area during rush hour traffic. The new road will help relieve congestion sooner rather than later.

The fact the road is part of this project doesn’t faze us.

It’s an urban park next to downtown. We don’t expect peace and quiet if we are going there – it’s meant to be an outdoor break from city life.

Stopping work on the project will only make things worse for Dallas. Work needed to get going a long time ago and more delays are not an option.

So if you live in Dallas, vote NO on the Trinity River proposition.