By Mary Jane Farmer, for the Van Alstyne News
TxDOT updated this information, as shown in red.
The Texas Department of Transportation officials announced that Encino Landscape of Cleveland, Texas, will be creating a new 10-foot-wide shared-use path in Van Alstyne along State Highway 5 (Waco St) from Williams Way to Blassingame Avenue, then along Tolson Avenue from SH 5 to Main Street and then on Main Street from Tolson Avenue to Van Alstyne Parkway. For safety reasons, a crosswalk with flashing lights are planned to be installed over Waco Street.
A shared-use path is defined as a foot path which can be used by both pedestrians and bicycle riders, possibly other wheeled vehicles as well, such as roller skates, wheelchairs, and skateboards. No information has, as yet, been received as to what wheeled vehicles will be allowed on this one.
City Manager Lane Jones said the City applied for this TxDOT grant to fund 80 percent of the cost to install this shared-use path to the Central Social District Park.
TxDOT UPDATE: The shared use path program is a federal program that requires the local government (City of Van Alstyne) to pay for 20% of the cost.
“The City was successful in securing the grant award. Mobilization is expected in the next few weeks. The project is expected to be completed in the Spring of 2025,” Jones said.
TxDOT UPDATE: Crosswalk markings will be installed at each street crossing including SH 5. The SH 5 crossing will also have a push button on each side for a pedestrian to push before crossing SH 5 in order to activate the flashing beacons at the advanced warning sign for the shared use path crossing. There will also be Stop Here for Pedestrian signs installed along SH 5.
The Contractor has been granted 120 working days to complete this $1,226,270 project, TxDOT said in a press release. Work was to have begun Wednesday, Sept. 18, weather permitting. The contract is anticipated to be completed in April of 2025, TxDOT said.
Jones said, “The City of Van Alstyne has been working diligently to improve walkability within our community. We have been successful in securing two prior grants for Shared-Use Path Installation, both of which are in place today.” Jones added, “Additionally, the City has applied for and been awarded a Phase IV Shared-Use Path grant that will connect the future Umpress/Hynds Park to Forrest Moore Park. We anticipate Phase IV contract will be awarded in May 2025 with an anticipated completion date of 2026.”