Huntsville council backs Walker County bid for TxDOT 'TA' grant to build University Avenue shared‑use path

HUNTSVILLE — Huntsville City Council voted unanimously to partner with Walker County to support a 2025 Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Transportation Alternatives (TA) grant application seeking funds to build a shared‑use pathway on University Avenue and to pursue streetscape improvements around the Walker County Courthouse.

The county presentation, delivered by Commissioner Bill Doggett, proposed a 12–14 foot shared‑use path on University Avenue between 12th and 17th streets, widened sidewalks and stamped sidewalks and lighting around the Courthouse Square, new seating and bicycle racks and other amenities intended to encourage walking and bicycling between the downtown square and the university. Doggett framed the project as a means to make the corridor “a destination as opposed to a travel through.”

Why it matters: the proposal aims to improve pedestrian and bicycle connections between Sam Houston State University and downtown Huntsville, and to make the courthouse square safer and more accessible for events and everyday use. The county said the grant program prioritizes projects…