TEXARKANA, Texas -- The Texas Department of Transportation recently awarded the city more than $2.3 million to fund construction of new sidewalks alongside Kennedy Lane.
The project will result in 6-foot concrete sidewalks along both sides of Kennedy from U.S. Hwy. 93 to the Cowhorn Creek bridge. Sidewalks will also be built along the south side of Kennedy to Robison Road and along one side of Robison to FM 559, according to a news release.
Also included is a 12-foot asphalt shared use path extending the Cowhorn Creek Trail from Kennedy to College Drive and provide safer pedestrian crossings and expansion of an existing sidewalk network. The project connects to sidewalks and bike lanes on College.
The funding is part of TxDOT's Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program. Texarkana's project also was authorized to receive federal TA funding by the Texas Transportation Commission.
"We are excited to receive this funding and continue to partner with TxDOT to improve the pedestrian infrastructure in our community," City Manager David Orr said. "Texarkana continues to be a beneficiary of the TA Set-Aside Program and we are looking forward to continuing our work to make Texarkana a better place to walk and bike."
Interim Planning and Community Development Director Vashil Fernandez is looking forward to the infrastructure upgrades, as well.
"As part of the public feedback process for the City's neighborhood planning efforts, improved sidewalks have consistently scored as a top priority. We look forward to the impact this funding will make for our community," he said.
The awarded project originated from Texarkana's 2018 Regional Active Transportation Plan completed by the Texarkana Metropolitan Planning Organization.
TxDOT's Public Transportation Division manages its statewide TA program and will be working locally with the TxDOT Atlanta District and the city to implement the grants. Construction is anticipated to begin during the summer of 2023.
(For more information, contact Lisa Thompson at [email protected] or 903-798-1743.)