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 that reduce vehicle trips and improve walking and biking.

Doggett told council that TxDOT cautioned the county in an earlier application that the prior submittal had been “too site specific” and advised expanding the scope and adding partners. “They’re looking for ways to get people off their... cars and walk and bike and, you know, get out in their communities,” he said. He asked whether council members were open to the concept of making University Avenue one‑way between 12th and 17th streets to free curb area for wider paths and pocket seating.

Council members pressed on logistics and tradeoffs. Commissioner Doggett acknowledged the plan would convert some angled parking to parallel parking on the east side of University Avenue and estimated the change could remove “about 20 parking spots.” He also said the county counted roughly 65–68 parking spaces on the east side and that the city/county Ernst parking lot could be made more usable to offset lost curb parking; the county and city currently split that lot 50/50, according to discussion.

City staff and council discussed permitting, inspection responsibilities and long‑term maintenance. Doggett said the county planned to submit a preliminary concept to TxDOT and, if invited to advance, would work with Huntsville staff on design and cost estimates. He said Walker County’s funding status with TxDOT (county classified as economically challenged) can improve grant match terms and that the county expected the city to inspect work and ultimately accept maintenance of on‑street infrastructure installed in the city right‑of‑way.

On grant size, Doggett noted awards vary widely: “They awarded quite a few of them last year, and some were as small as a couple hundred thousand, and a couple were, $7.08, $9,000,000.” He estimated the Courthouse Square work alone previously priced at roughly $1.1 million and said a combined University Avenue/square package could fall within ranges TxDOT has funded.

Council action and outcome: Council Member McKenzie moved to approve the City of Huntsville’s partnership with Walker County to support the 2025 TxDOT Transportation Alternatives grant application; Council Member Lyle seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

What remains: the council’s vote authorized the partnership and submission of a preliminary application; it did not approve a one‑way conversion of University Avenue or any construction. Council and county staff will continue design conversations, parking analyses and coordination around inspection and maintenance responsibilities should the grant be invited to a full application and awarded.

Quotes (selected)

Commissioner Bill Doggett: “So every couple of years, TxDOT puts out a grant. It’s called a TA grant… They’re looking for ways to get people off their… cars and walk and bike and, you know, get out in their communities.”

Commissioner Bill Doggett, asking the council for direction: “I do need to know if you're open to that idea of University Avenue being 1 way street from Twelfth To Seventeenth Street.”

Ending

Council members welcomed the partnership and asked staff to pursue follow‑up workshops with county staff to refine parking impacts, complete preliminary cost estimates and identify inspection/maintenance responsibilities if the project advances to a formal TxDOT application and award.