Transportation
BY CASSANDRA JENKINS
West U aims for more pedestrian- friendly crosswalks, intersections
Pavement replacement
Intersection improvements
Four intersections along Bualo Speedway in West University Place will receive new concrete pavers after more than a dozen crosswalks have become a hazard to pedestrians. What you need to know The Texas Department of Transportation com- pleted a project along the Bualo Bayou Speed- way in September 2023 that included replacing the entire road surface, improving the drainage system and creating visual enhancements for the entrances at four major intersections between Bissonnet Street and Holcombe Boulevard. However, only a year after installation, West U ocials said several of the newly placed concrete pavers at the intersections started shifting, posing safety hazards for pedestrians using the crosswalks at four locations, including:
In similar news City ocials are also looking to make citywide enhancements for pedestrian safety at corridors that are frequently used by children on their way to school. The discussion was rst brought to the table by Mayor Pro Tem John Montgomery and council member Clay Brett, who placed the item on the agenda. “There is a gap in places in the city where kids traverse, and we have to think about ways to create safer mobility quarters,” Montgomery said. “The rst thought that occurs to me on this topic is that we haven’t done enough.” Potential measures include implementing crossing guards and/or trac calming measures at major intersections along Weslayan Street and Bualo Speedway, including University, Rice and Sunset Boulevards. Assistant Chief of Police Gary Ratli said in the last six months he has issued over 60 citations for drivers running red lights at the ve intersections. Public input A handful of West U residents attended the Nov. 4 meeting to express their concerns with close calls at the dangerous intersections. Jillian Waldo said she feels unsafe walking across the University and Bualo Speedway intersection with her four children due to several drivers running red lights. “We cross this intersection every single day,”
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W. HOLCOMBE BLVD.
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SOURCE: CITY OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE COMMUNITY IMPACT
• Holcombe Boulevard • University Boulevard • Rice Boulevard • Sunset Boulevard
she said. “One of the special things about our town is being able to walk to school, walk to the little league elds, ... but we’ve had a couple close calls at that intersection.” Waldo suggested City Council add a crossing guard, especially during rush hour times, and include better crosswalk markings or ¡ashing lights. Stay tuned Montgomery said the council will look to gather resident feedback on the issue and do a trac study before bringing a potential solution to the council at a future date.
During the Oct. 28 council meeting, West U ocials awarded Gulf Coast Pavers the task of removing all existing pavers to investigate the concrete slabs underneath and create a level surface before reinstalling the pavers. The $427,750 project will be funded with the bonds issued in 2022 for the Bualo Speedway Project and is anticipated to take approximately 90 days to complete.
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