Highway expansion project delayed
Posted/updated on: January 17, 2026 at 8:14 am
TYLER — The Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) announced on Monday that construction of the Old Jacksonville Highway expansion project will be pushed back for a few more years.
According to our news partner KETK, on Monday, during their open house, the organization said they would hold construction until 2030, two more years than anticipated, as they wait for tech stock to buy the property needed and “move the utilities that’s going to be involved with the project.”
“It’s just taking a little bit more time than was originally forecasted. So that is really what is kind of pushing this project back a little bit, but it is definitely still moving forward, and we still see it happening,” MPO Director Michael Howell said.
The project is set to widen the highway from four to six lanes, affecting Loop 323 and FM 2813 in Gresham.
KETK previously spoke with TxDOT officials in February 2025 after the project was initially delayed due to unexpected challenges. Jeff Williford with TxDOT’s Tyler District said that before the project could move forward, utility infrastructure had to be moved, but that step was delayed.
“I believe there were nine utility companies that were involved in this and some interacting with each other,” Williford explained. “So, one wasn’t able to do something because of another utility company, and so we are trying to work through those issues.”
The initial pause in the project caused frustration among community members, including resident Allison Carroll, who moved to the area for its beauty and was impacted by the ongoing expansion.
“One of our neighbors did not want to live here anymore because it wasn’t as pretty and visually appealing,” Carroll said.
Carroll told KETK that once the trees in front of her neighborhood were torn down, construction seemed to stop completely. Other neighbors said an “eyesore” was left in front of their homes.
The planning organization says if the project is delayed again for any reason, they will hold another open house to discuss further plans.
