BELTON, Texas — Over $25 million in funding has been approved for the City of Belton by the Transportation Planning Policy Board of the Killeen-Temple Metropolitan Planning Organization (KTMPO), announced the City of Belton on May 21.
According to the City, the $25.7 million in funding will allow three "important mobility projects" to move forward, with $21.28 million going towards Phase 2 of the Loop 121 expansion, $3.75 million going towards the Connell Street Phase 1 project and $676,000 going towards the Sparta Road Shared Use Path (SUP).
The City says Phase 2 of the Loop 121 project will add additional lanes and sidewalks to the section of road between I-14 and I-35, requiring the moving of any utilities in the path of the future roadway.
Construction is reportedly expected to begin once Phase 1 is completed in early 2025, said the City.
The City of Belton said the City Council authorized an $868,550 agreement with KPA engineers in April for the design of a future expansion for Connell Street between I-14 and I-35. The $3.75 million allocation from KTMPO will reportedly help fund phase 1 of the expansion, from Loop 121 to Huey Drive.
The $676,000 authorized for the Sparta Road SUP will reportedly connect the Nolan Creek Hike and Bike Trail near Sparta Elementary School with the trail located in Chisolm Trail Park along Dunn's Canyon Road.
“Belton continues to work to improve mobility in our area," said Mayor David K. Leigh. "We couldn’t do it alone, so this is great news for our citizens and our neighbors as we are able to leverage local dollars with state and federal funding. These projects are a great example of the cross-section of the projects we see in our region: from pedestrian connectivity to parks to larger connectivity projects like Loop 121.”
The City of Belton said the projects emerged from a "competitive process" initiated by KTMPO. Funds will reportedly be available within the upcoming 3-year funding cycle.
KTMPO selected 17 local projects from Copperas Cove to Temple for funding out of 107 potential projects, said the City, for an estimated total cost of $78.4 million. The 17 chosen were reportedly ranked highest on the list of priorities.
Belton said TxDOT's Waco District office has also indicated that it will perform a "major maintenance project" on 6th Avenue in Belton, between Main Street and I-35, in Fiscal Year 2027.
The project will reportedly combine a sidewalk replacement project originally scheduled for 2026 with the "complete rehabilitation" of 6th Avenue, originally scheduled for 2028, to achieve an escalated project in 2027.
“We appreciate the coordination of these projects into one,” City Manager Sam Listi said. “The improvements to these facilities will benefit our community, businesses and visitors.”
More from 6 News: