Improvements on the way to the Northeast Texas Trail System
ATLANTA – The Texas Transportation Commission recently approved over $7.4 million for projects across Bowie and Red River Counties to make improvements to over 27 miles of the Northeast Texas Trail System (NETT).
The NETT links New Boston to Farmersville, east of Dallas, and spans 7 counties in rural east Texas. According to the NETT Coalition, once completed, the trail will be the longest hike/bike and equestrian trail in Texas, and the fourth longest in the United States.
This federal funding comes from the Transportation Alternatives (TA) program, which supports local projects that enhance bicycle and pedestrian safety for people of all ages and levels of ability.
Across the state, more than $55 million for 41 projects was approved by the Texas Transportation Commission. The projects will build sidewalks, shared use paths, bike lanes, pedestrian bridges and other safety features for people who walk and ride bicycles for transportation. “This funding will help improve safety for our more vulnerable users throughout the state,” said Texas Transportation Commissioner Laura Ryan.
In Bowie and Red River Counties, the projects include:
- Project Sponsor: Bowie County
Project Name: Bowie County Shared Use Path From SH 98 to FM 1840
Federal Funding Amount: $2,166,204
Project Description: The project will construct a 10-foot wide unpaved aggregate surface path adjacent to US 82 from SH 98 west of New Boston to FM 1840 near De Kalb. The project improves a segment of the Northeast Texas Trail (NETT) and is part of the future Texas Bicycle Tourism Trail network. The project covers 8.3 miles and will include clearing and grading, along with safety improvements including crosswalk striping, safety bollards, curb ramps and signage for 13 street crossings.
- Project Sponsor: City of Avery
Project Name: NETT Shared Use Path Improvements
Federal Funding Amount: $2,304,830
Project Description: The project will construct a 10-foot wide shared use path with unpaved aggregate surface adjacent to US 82 from the Bowie/Red River County line west to the city limits of Annona. This project covers 9.5 miles and will also include clearing, bridge construction and repair, crosswalk striping and safety bollards, and improves a segment of the Northeast Texas Trail (NETT) and is part of the future Texas Bicycle Tourism Trail network.
- Project Sponsor: Red River County
Project Name: NETT Shared Use Path Improvements
Federal Funding Amount: $1,736,498
Project Description: The project will construct a 10-foot wide shared use path with an unpaved aggregate surface adjacent to US 82 from the eastern city limits of Annona to the US 82/Business 82 intersection east of Clarksville. The project covers 7.5 miles and will include clearing, bridge repair, striping and safety bollards, and improves a segment of the Northeast Texas Trail (NETT) and is a part of the future Texas Bicycle Tourism Trail network.
- Project Sponsor: City of Clarksville
Project Name: Clarksville Trail
Federal Funding Amount: $1,249,920
Project Description: The project will construct a 10-foot wide shared use path from US 82 Northwest of Clarksville to the intersection of US 82/Business 82, east of Clarksville. The asphalt surface shared use path will include trail amenities such as benches, bike racks, trash receptacles, bollards, as well as signage and pavement markings at roadway crossings. The project covers 2.3 miles and will improve a segment of the Northeast Texas Trail and is part of the future Texas Bicycle Tourism Trail Network.
For more information on the Northeast Texas Trail System visit netexastrail.org.