I’m a bit embarrassed, gue3ss I just jumped ahead without remembering what you had already tried… old age creeping up on me…
I just saw this yesterday and thought it MIGHT help you out with applying your textures.
https://blenderartists.org/t/tile-stamper-0-1-a-material-node-for-seamless-repetition-tweeking/1200233
I have not tried it as yet but it looked promising with the mask functions
Since it’s free give it a go, after unwrapping your path into smaller sections.