Tyler Moves Forward on Legacy Trails Project

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has adopted a resolution for the City to apply for the Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) grant and to commit matching funds for 5.6 miles of hike and bike trails along West Grande Boulevard to Cumberland Road and from Fresh Market on Old Jacksonville Road to Gresham. “Legacy Trails would be the first part of the 2010 Regional Trail Master Plan created by our citizens who serve on the Metropolitan Planning Organization,” said Carter Delleney, City engineer. “The trail also sets us up to meet goals in the Tyler 1st Plan.” The federally funded TAP grant provides opportunities to expand transportation choices and enhance the transportation experience as outlined in 43 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 11.300-11.317 and 16.153-16.154. Allowable TAP projects include on and off-road trail facilities for pedestrian, bicyclists and other non-motorized forms of transportation.

If Tyler is selected, the TAP grant would allow the City to use the forecasted funds already available through the Half Cent Sales Tax Fund to construct a 10-foot wide trail connection, and it will allow the City to expand the trail system into the region toward Gresham. This regional connectivity is a priority in the TAP grant application and review. In keeping with the Regional Trail Master Plan, this project would connect the South Tyler Trail/Rose Rudman Trail/Southside Park to Faulkner Park and Gresham. “The TAP Grant timing is convenient for us to expand the project and thereby substantially increase trail miles and achieve regional connectivity for the citizens of Tyler,” Delleney said.

The grant application is limited to eligible project sponsors in non-urban areas with a population less than 200,000. Up to 80% of construction cost is eligible for reimbursement through federal and state monies. The total estimated project cost is approximately $7.4 million. If selected the City would pay $1.3 million for eligible costs and $905,000 for non-eligible costs. The Texas Department of Transportation will review the grant applications through September 2015 and then submit them to the Federal Highway Administration for their review. Grant award winners will be notified in late 2015 or early 2016.