By Kenny Mitchell

Exciting news for Northeast Texas hikers and bikers came out of Austin this week with the announcement by the Texas Department of Transportation that they have received $25 million in federal funds to expand two trail corridors in northeast Texas and El Paso. Both trails are components of the state’s envisioned Bicycle Tourism Trails network.

TxDOT noted that a huge chunk of that funding would be going directly to Northeast Texas to complete the 130-mile that runs from Farmersville to New Boston. The Northeast Texas Trail runs through seven different counties as the path makes its trek, including Lamar, Red River and Bowie County. Several areas of the trail have been completed and a growing list of trail enthusiasts have made the entire 130-mile journey, but there are still long swaths of the trail that need upgrades.

The money will be used to: · Repair and build new bridges. · Build new bike lanes, sidewalks, and shared use paths with accessible ramps. · Clear and upgrade trail surfaces. · Install trail amenities and traffic control devices such as lighting, lane markings and beacons.

· Add and improve landscaping.

TxDOT applied for the grant in partnership with the Northeast Texas Trail Association and the Paso del Norte Foundation.

“Access to safe and efficient infrastructure is critical for Texas,” Sen. John Cornyn said. “I applaud this announcement and look forward to seeing the positive impact this investment will have across the Lone Star State.”

“These are significant steps on a long journey to construction of a statewide bicycle tourism trail network,” Texas Transportation Commissioner Robert “Robie” Vaughn said. “We are very excited to receive this award that’ll help make these corridors safer and easier to use for cyclists, runners, walkers and anyone else who uses these trails.”

All of this was made possible with the United States Department of Transportation award to TxDOT of the $25 million through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant to continue the expansion and development of transportation networks across the state that support economic development and tourism.

The Northeast Texas Trail has been years in development and has made progress in becoming the trail destination that organizers hope it will be one day. Along the 130-mile path, supporters have worked to clear the pathway, repair bridges and create overnight lodging for trail visitors, including the lodging site that has been established at the Avery Fire Station. Events along the way have also made use of the trail’s progress, with one of the most notable being the annual Trail de Paris According the Northeast Texas Trail Coalition, many cyclists of all ages and abilities enjoyed the 38th annual Tour de Paris’ shaded NETT route earlier this year, that included the Trail de Paris, Reno Rail Trail, Prairiland Trail, and Blossom Trail sections of the NETT.