Tyler City Council Advances Plan to Connect Midtown and Downtown with New Shared-Use Pat

TYLER, TEXAS — A major infrastructure initiative designed to improve walkability, safety, and accessibility in the heart of Tyler gained momentum this week. On Wednesday, June 11, the Tyler City Council approved a resolution backing a Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TA) grant application for the proposed Midtown to Downtown Shared-Use Path — a long-anticipated project expected to transform how residents, students, and hospital staff move through the city.

The plan calls for a 2.5-mile, 10-foot-wide concrete trail that would connect key destinations including Tyler Junior College, the future UT Tyler School of Medicine, UT Health East Texas, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Hospital, Downtown Tyler, and the new Smith County Courthouse. The trail would extend from East Fifth Street to South Broadway Avenue, providing a safer, ADA-compliant corridor for pedestrians, cyclists, and mobility device users.

Trail to Feature Safety and Accessibility Upgrades

Designed with inclusivity and safety in mind, the shared-use path would feature:

• Wide, ADA-compliant concrete trails

• Pedestrian lighting and signage

• Access ramps and crosswalks

• Pedestrian hybrid beacons at busy intersections

• Improved drainage and grading for enhanced trail usability

The route is intended to serve high-traffic zones frequented by students, healthcare workers, and downtown visitors. Officials see it as a critical improvement for public health, mobility, and urban connectivity.

Community and Institutional Support Grows

The proposal has garnered strong support from local institutions and stakeholders. During a recent update to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, representatives from Tyler Junior College and both major hospital systems praised the project’s potential to increase safety and provide reliable non-vehicle transit options.

Fully Funded by Grant, If Approved

The total project is estimated to cost $4.8 million. However, the City expects to qualify for Transportation Development Credits, which would eliminate the need for a local funding match — meaning 100 percent of the project could be covered by grant funds.

If the funding is approved, the City of Tyler will partner with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) in a collaborative design and development process. The final design will reflect the area’s unique safety, traffic, and accessibility needs.

City officials view the path as a transformative step toward a more connected, pedestrian-friendly Tyler.

For more information on the project or the grant application, visit CityofTyler.org.