New road coming to one of Wichita Falls’ busiest areas

WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) - City leaders voted yes to extend what they’re calling South Wenonah Avenue, a project aimed at improving traffic flow and access in one of Wichita Falls’ busiest shopping areas.

A short stretch of pavement already exists in front of WinCo Foods, but the goal is to connect that section behind Academy Sports + Outdoors and extend it all the way to Maplewood Avenue, creating an entirely new route for drivers in the area.

The project is expected to cost around $3.7 million and will be funded through the area’s Tax Increment Financing zone along with Economic Development Corporation funds.

Director of Engineering for the city, Tyson Traw, said the new road will help relieve congestion in the surrounding area.

“It’s going to relieve traffic on Lawrence, provide especially a route for the traffic that service these retail centers in the area, and keep that out of our everyday citizens’ line of travel,” Traw said.

Traw also said the extension could help attract new businesses to the area.

“The other important part of this is unlocking some of the previously undevelopable property in the area, so we’re really hopeful and excited about the future possibilities for new development of retail centers in the area,” Traw said.

The South Wenonah Avenue expansion will be the final project funded by the 20-year-old Tax Increment Financing (TIF) zone, something Traw said is especially meaningful.

“It’s not often that you can start something 20 years ago like TIF 2 and have a dream by the people who started it then and now come along and be able to finish something like that up and really make a difference for our community,” Traw said.

Construction on the South Wenonah Avenue expansion is expected to begin in February 2026 and be completed by the end of the same year.