TxDOT funds local bicycle and pedestrian projects to enhance public safety

The Texas Transportation Commission approved more than $44 million for 46 bicycle and pedestrian projects for rural/nonurban and small urban population areas across the state. The funding from the federal Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TASA) Program supports population areas of 200,000 or less.

State-selected TASA projects are intended to enhance safety for people of all ages and levels of ability, improve mobility for pedestrians and bicyclists, help mitigate congestion and connect important community destinations.

“Bicycle and pedestrian projects are important to many Texans,” said Texas Transportation Commissioner Jeff Austin III. “Funding for these projects will help enhance our state’s bicycle and pedestrian programs.”

The commission approved the action at its October meeting.

In the Bryan District, these projects include Coulter Drive Sidewalks and Bike Lanes, plus the SH 6 East Frontage Road Shared Lane Path. The Coulter Drive Sidewalks and Bike Lanes project will construct 6-foot-wide sidewalks and 5-foot-wide bike lanes on both sides of Coulter Drive between South College Avenue and East William J Bryan Parkway/FM158 for a distance of approximately 1.4 miles. This project will install green bike boxes (a green painted box in front of the motor vehicle stop bar) at signalized intersections to increase visibility of bicyclists and to position bikes closer to the intersection at traffic signals. Additional pedestrian and bicycle improvements include ADA compliant ramps, Accessible Pedestrian Traffic Signal (APS) push button assemblies for two signalized intersections, and appropriate warning signage. These improvements will improve pedestrian access to Stephen F. Austin Middle School, St. Joseph Catholic School, and Sue Haswell Memorial Park, while providing future connectivity to the proposed Briar Creek Trail.

The SH 6 East Frontage Road Shared Use Path will construct a 2-foot-wide shared use path along the east frontage road of North Earl Rudder Freeway (SH 6) between Boonville Road (FM 158) and Old Reliance Road, approximately 1.3 miles long. Additional improvements include pedestrian handrails, bicycle route signage, and crosswalks. This improvement project provides critical pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure where pedestrians are currently walking on the grass. It will be located adjacent to Sam Rayburn Middle School and Park along with various commercial properties.