TRANSPORTATIONUPDATES TxDOT declares 2021 second-deadliest year for Texas roadways; trac deaths up 15%over 2020
COMPILED BY HUNTER TERRELL
ONGOING PROJECTS
35
AUSTIN AVE.
BY MIKAH BOYD
TRAFFIC TRAGEDIES While most trac crashes did not result in injuries, thousands of Texans died
29
Roadways are becoming increas- ingly deadly, according to a news release from the Texas Department of Transportation that detailed ndings that are part of a larger issue nationwide. TxDOT reported in March there were more than 4,480 deaths on Texas roads in 2021, making it the second-deadliest year behind 1981, which had over 4,701 deaths. Roadway deaths are also on the rise nationwide. Ocials reported an estimated 20,160 people died from vehicular crashes in the rst half of 2021, an 18.4% increase from 2020. Texas saw an increase of almost 15% from 2020-21. TxDOT ocials elaborated on the shared responsibility drivers, roadway engineers and law enforcement have to reduce deaths on Texas roads. “Driver behavior is one of the causes but also one of the most important solutions,” Transportation Commissioner Laura Ryan said in a news release. “This is not blame. These are facts. We all have a role. TxDOT can do more, and we accept that responsibility. The driving public can do more. For instance, in 2021, a total of 1,522 people were killed because of speed, and a total of 1,219 were killed because they were not wearing a seat belt. These were decisions made by people that could have potentially saved 2,741 lives.” Art Markman, a psychology professor at The University of Texas, informed TxDOT leaders and
N
or faced serious injuries on the roads in 2021. Reported vehicle crashes in Texas in 2021
UPCOMING PROJECTS Funding sources: Capital Area Metro- politan Planning Organization, TxDOT I-35 improvements In April, the Texas Department of Transportation began constructing designated turn lanes at the Williams Drive and Austin Avenue intersection as well as widening the southbound I-35 frontage road, south of the San Gabriel bridge. Timeline: early 2022-summer 2023 Cost: $61.7 million
Noninjuries
1.07M
137.4K Possible injuries 100.4K Unknown injuries
“WEMUST DOBETTERFOR OURSELVES, OUR LOVED ONES ANDOUR LARGER COMMUNITYOF TEXANS.” LAURA RYAN, TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONER
82.5K Suspected minor injuries 19.4K Suspected serious injuries
4.5K Fatalities
29
SOURCE: TEXAS PEACE OFFICER’S CRASH REPORTSCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
transportation stakeholders at the annual Texas Transportation Forum in February about coronavirus-related pressures that have had a negative impact on Texas roadways. “We have to remind people that they are part of a community,” Markman said. “We have to start considering everyone as part of our community. If we don’t do that, there are going to be all sorts of negative consequences ... [including] negative consequences on the road.” The release provided information on initiatives TxDOT is researching and studying before implementing to aid in roadway safety. Some of the initiatives include trac safety campaigns and law enforcement funding grants as well as proven
life-saving roadway designs. TxDOT is also reviewing crash data to identify areas where drivers are more likely to crash and will use its ndings to focus improvement initiatives on those areas and share the data with the driving population. Ocials within the agency believe the implementation of the above ini- tiatives and focusing on engineering and enforcement will greatly reduce the number of deaths on Texas roads. “But make no mistake: This is an urgent call to action for all of us behind the wheel,” Ryan said. “We can do better. We should do better. We must do better—for ourselves, our loved ones and our larger community of Texans. Not a single death on our roadways is acceptable.”
WOLF RANCH PKWY.
SOUTHWEST BYP.
N
ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF MAY 2. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT GEONEWSCOMMUNITYIMPACT.COM. Southwest Bypass extension The project will extend the two- lane Southwest Bypass from Wolf Ranch Parkway to SH 29. This is the nal phase of the Southwest Bypass project. Design development for the project began in 2020, and the county will bid the project in June. Timeline: summer 2022-late 2023 Cost: TBD Funding source: Williamson County Road Bond Program
NOW ENROLLING FOR FALL 2022
Join us at GISD: Home of the most inspired students, served by the most empowered leaders.
www.georgetownisd.org/enrollatgisd
11
GEORGETOWN EDITION • MAY 2022
Powered by FlippingBook