January 22, 2025 - TRA Newswire -

The East Texas city of Tyler, has commissioned a study to determine if light rail or trolley service could help augment transportation options.

The Tyler City Council approved a $ 150,000 contract with Kimley-Horn to develop the possibilities of short-term and long-term rail service. The Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) will conduct the study as a part of the 2024-2025 unified planning work program.

The MPO said the study will even include evaluating limited trolley service on existing rail lines as a starter and looking long term for proposed connection to intercity passenger rail service on the I-20 corridor, north of Tyler.

“The Light Rail Study will help us modernize transportation options in the Tyler area, allowing more connectivity and sustainable development,” according to MPO Director Michael Howell. The MPO's Transportation Policy Committee, spearheading the push, includes representatives from Smith County, TxDOT and the Northeast Texas Regional Mobility Authority 

The study will coordinate with railroad companies and local stakeholders to develop a path for implementing light rail/commuter rail service to connect the cities within Smith County, Texas and provide a connection to the proposed high speed rail service to parallel Interstate 20.

Photo credit: Manhattan Institute