TRANSPORTATION

Tyler has excellent Interstate, U.S. and State Highway systems that provide efficient and economical transportation to all destinations, including Interstate 20, U.S. Highways 271 & 69, and State Highways 31, 64, 110 & 155. State officials estimate that as many as 270,000 people come to Tyler each day to work, attend school, seek medical services, or just shop.

INNER AND OUTER LOOPS

Tyler has Loop 323, an open access 4-6 lane major arterial that surrounds the City. The new outer Loop 49 is currently under construction and will be a controlled access design that will connect to I-20 on the Northwest and Northeast of sides of Tyler. The first section located between US 69 south of Tyler and SH 155 southwest of Tyler, opened to traffic in August 2006, registering 1,400 vehicles per day. The second segment, connecting US 69 and FM 756 between Tyler and Whitehouse, opened January 2008. The Texas Transportation Commission, TxDOT's governing body, approved nearly $38 million in economic stimulus funding for Segment 3A of Loop 49 in March 2009. Segment 3A will connect to the existing segments of Loop 49 at SH 155, and proceed northwest to SH 31. In October 2010 the Commission approved up to $90 million through State Infrastructure Bank loans and a toll equity loan for the construction of Segment 3B, the longest section of the toll road at 9.7 miles. Segment 3B will connect to the existing segments at SH 31 and proceed north to I20, estimated completion date is December 2012. Long range plans include eventually connecting Loop 49 with Longview’s outer Loop 259, in what's being called the East Texas Hour Glass, as shown in the map below.

NORTHEAST TEXAS REGIONAL MOBILITY AUTHORITY

The Texas Transportation Commission authorized the formation of the Northeast Texas RMA in October 2004. It is the fifth RMA to be formed in the state of Texas. RMAs were authorized by the Texas Legislature in 2001 to construct, operate and maintain turnpike projects in the state. The NET RMA encompasses the boundaries of both Smith and Gregg counties. It is governed by a board of seven directors with the presiding officer appointed by Governor Rick Perry.

TRAFFIC COUNTS

State officials estimate that as many as 270,000 people come to Tyler each day to work, attend school, seek medical services or just shop. The Texas Department of Transportation maintains an online database of state traffic counts. Using this database, you can zoom into any community and compare the most recent traffic count data, as well as other information. A helpful note when you use the database, expand MAP OVERLAYS in tool section located in the upper-left portion of the screen. From there, select any of the AADT overlays, which will display the traffic counts for each corresponding year. In addition, you can zoom in using the '+' and '-' keys in the tools section as well, or by double-clicking the area you want to zoom in to see. Click here to view this online database. You may also acquire more detailed maps at any local Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) office. Tyler's TxDOT office is located 2709 W. Front Street, or can be reached by phone at (903) 510-9100.

AIR

Tyler Pounds Regional Airport
700 Skyway Blvd., Tyler, TX 75704
(903) 531-2343

Commercial air service is provided by the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport, which is located approximately 4 miles west of Loop 323 along State Highway 64. In 2010, approximately 74,000 passengers chose the Tyler airport to reach their destinations. American Airlines offers American Eagle prop and Jet service to D/FW airport in Dallas with 4 daily flights. Continental Airlines, operated by Colgan Air, offers 5 daily flights to Houston’s Intercontinental Airport.

Three 150-foot wide runways have an asphalt surface with the longest runway length at 7,200 feet. The other two runways are 5,200 and 4,849 feet in length.

The airport has two fixed based operators offering a variety of services for private/corporate planes, including fuel, aircraft parking, hangars, charter services, and passenger lounges.

	Fixed Base Operator	Website
	Johnson Aviation (903) 593-4343
	Jet Center of Tyler (903) 597-1334

RAIL

Union Pacific Railroad
John Owens, Industrial Development
(281) 350-7302

Union Pacific Railroad provides rail service in Tyler/Smith County. Switching service is provided on a case by case basis.

MOTOR FREIGHT CARRIERS

There are 21 motor freight carriers with a terminal in the City of Tyler. The average delivery time for cities nationwide is as follows:

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

The Tyler Transit System provides safe, dependable, low cost transportation service to the citizens of Tyler through the operation of a fixed-route bus system and a paratransit system for ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) certified persons. Service hours are Monday-Friday, 6:00 am - 8:15 pm and Saturday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm. Night service is available with advanced scheduling. Tyler's fixed route buses are also equipped with racks for bicycle transport. Tyler has several other options for public transportation, whether you are traveling for business, special needs, or for special occasions.