City of Tyler Connecting Residents to Parks and Transit with New Sidewalks

For years, residents across Tyler have shared a clear message: they want safer, more connected ways to move through their neighborhoods, whether walking to a bus stop, taking their kids to the park, or making a simple trip down the block. That feedback, combined with data from recent transportation studies, is now shaping a new round of pedestrian access improvements across the City.

The Tyler Area MPO Pedestrian Access Study and the Active Tyler Transportation Plan both identified critical sidewalk gaps and high-priority walking routes. At the same time, the City Engineering Department has continued to receive and track citizen requests for sidewalk additions and repairs, highlighting locations where improvements are needed.

To support these efforts, the 2024 Half Cent Sales Tax Work Plan established a recurring annual program dedicated to pedestrian access. Design work began in summer 2024, and Engineering partnered with Tyler Transit to identify nine project areas.

Although the work was initially planned for 2024 and 2025, the project was delayed after the initial bid process did not result in an award. With the updated construction package now prepared for Fiscal Year 2026, the project will move forward at the following locations:

• East Ninth Street at South Roseland Boulevard: Construction will include a new crosswalk, ADA ramps, and sidewalk improvements to improve access to the transit stop and the existing network of sidewalks in the area.
• East Gentry Parkway north of Hillsboro Street: A new sidewalk will be installed to fill existing gaps and replace deteriorated sections. This work also supports a Highway Safety Improvement Program project completed earlier this year.
• East Erwin Street at Hillside Park: This project will replace the existing sidewalk, add ADA-compliant ramps, and install a crosswalk featuring a rapid flashing beacon.
• Highway 110 south near Aberdeen Drive: A new sidewalk will be installed to fill a missing segment along this corridor.
• West Northwest Loop 323 east of Highway 69 North: A new sidewalk will be constructed to support access to a bus stop.
• Shiloh Road at Atlanta Avenue: A new sidewalk will be added to improve connections to a transit stop.
• West Northwest Loop 323 at Town Parc Apartments: A new sidewalk will be installed to improve conditions at the bus stop and relocate the stop for enhanced safety and convenience.
• West 32nd Street near the Glass Recreation Center: A new sidewalk will be constructed to support access to the bus stop at the Glass Recreation Center.
• Shiloh Road at Edinburgh Drive: A new sidewalk will be added to connect the existing sidewalk network in this area.
• Fair Park Drive and Rose Park Drive: A sidewalk will be added from the southeast entrance of the Rose Garden west to Rose Park Drive and north on Rose Park Drive to the southwest entrance to the Rose Garden. A crossing will be added at Rose Park Drive and at the intersection of Rose Park Drive and Fair Park Drive.
• Loop 323 from Donnybrook Avenue to Fry Avenue: A new sidewalk will be added on the north side of the road to complete sidewalk access along the north side of Loop 323 between Donnybrook Avenue and Fry Avenue.
• Oak Creek Boulevard: A new pedestrian crossing will be added where Legacy Trail meets Oak Creek Boulevard.
• North Bois D'Arc from West Cedar Street to West Queen Street: Existing sidewalks will be removed. New sidewalks and driveway entrances will be constructed to current standards. The new sidewalk will replace an old sidewalk that is in disrepair.
• South College Avenue and University Place: At the existing pedestrian crossing, new pedestrian ramps will be added, and the crossing will be updated.

There is a total of 14 project sites. Each location strengthens connections to transit stops, parks or community destinations, providing better pathways for residents who walk, roll or ride.

Construction is anticipated to begin in early 2026. The pedestrian access improvements are funded through the Half Cent Sales Tax.