City of Belton Awarded TASA Funding for Shared-Use Path

The Texas Transportation Commission approved more than $44 million for 46 bicycle and pedestrian projects for rural/nonurban and small urban population areas across the state. The funding from the federal Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TASA) Program supports population areas of 200,000 or less.

State-selected TASA projects are intended to enhance safety for people of all ages and levels of ability, improve mobility for pedestrians and bicyclists, help mitigate congestion and connect important community destinations.

“Bicycle and pedestrian projects are important to many Texans,” said Texas Transportation Commissioner Jeff Austin III. “Funding for these projects will help enhance our state’s bicycle and pedestrian programs.”

The Belton project will construct a two-way, 12-foot-wide shared use path for bicycle and pedestrian use. The project runs along Holland Road/FM 436 between South Wall Street and the IH 35 northbound frontage road, then heads north along the IH 35 northbound frontage road between Holland Road and Confederate Park Drive, and then along Confederate Park Drive under the IH 35 mainlanes to the Nolan Creek Hike and Bike Trail in Confederate Park. The path creates an important link between neighborhoods east of IH 35 and destinations to the west, including downtown Belton, parks, government facilities, and University of Mary Hardin Baylor. The path also connects to the Belton park-and-ride facility where bicyclists and pedestrians can catch the HOP (bus service operated by Hill County Transit District). The project incorporates safety features such as lighting, bicycle and pedestrian signals, and crosswalks.

 

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