Tyler MPO hosts Open House Oct. 8 for highway, transit updates

The Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is hosting an Open House to inform the community about estimated cost updates for two highway projects and a transit funding update included in the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) and the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). 

The come-and-go event will be on Thursday, Oct. 8, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Tyler Development Center, Large Conference Room, located at 423 W. Ferguson St.  

Project funding updates include: 

• A cost increase for the Interstate 20 ramp reversal and one-way frontage roads from County Road 433 (Harvey Road) to Highway 69 - $131,717,600  

• A cost decrease for the Highway 69 widening from four lanes to six lanes from South Town Drive to 0.3 miles south of FM 2813 - $51,071,900 

• Tyler Transit funding update - Under Federal Transit Association (FTA) Section 5339, the project description in the TIP was updated from “Capital Expenses for Vehicle Purchases” to “Capital Expenses for Building Rehabilitation and Enhancements.” 

MPO staff will be on hand to answer questions, provide information regarding the updates, and receive public feedback. 

The MTP identifies transportation needs for Tyler and the surrounding area over the next 25 years. The MPO’s TIP lists transportation improvements scheduled for implementation during the next four fiscal years. To be eligible for federal funding, a project must be included in the MTP and TIP. 

The MTP and TIP do not cover highway design or transit route decisions. Questions about a proposed highway design or right-of-way acquisition should be made to the TxDOT Tyler District Office at (903) 510-9267. 

The Tyler Area MPO is responsible for transportation planning within Tyler’s Metropolitan Area, which includes Bullard, Hideaway, Lindale, New Chapel Hill, Noonday, Winona, and Whitehouse. Questions and comments can be submitted through the Contact Us page under the About section at TylerAreaMPO.org.