A VIEW FROM THE COUNCIL TABLE
In July 2019 I wrote an opinion published by the View about the work of the Roads Advisory Work Group which, at the time, involved assessing the condition of all streets within our City. We were about 75% done with the on-site inspection and our next step was to consolidate the data and come up with recommendations on which streets to repair or replace first. The findings of the work group, which were supported by a professional engineer, were reviewed as part of the budget development process. It was clear that funds were not available to proceed with the repairing Augusta Drive, which was the street given highest priority for repairs. The work group looked at options available within our budget, and these were presented to Council at the December 11, 2019 meeting. This meeting also included an agenda item to purchase two trailer-mounted speed radar signs to collect detailed data on traffic volume and speed. This was necessary to have actual data, rather than perception, on speed and traffic patterns. The first sign was installed for testing on January 19, 2020, and rotation of the signs throughout the City began on January 31, 2020. Signs were located on collector streets and focused on areas identified by citizens and staff as potential for speeding.
The first report on data collected by the radar signs was presented to Council on February 12, 2020 with all Council members in attendance. At this meeting I made a motion to enter into an agreement with Hays County to repair a portion of Woodcreek Drive, approximately 650 feet long, and to conduct general road maintenance for remaining streets. This motion was approved unanimously.
The February 12 traffic report shows that at the first location, 41 Champions Circle, 2.3% of the vehicles (411 per day) were traveling over 30 miles per hour (mph). Average speed for all vehicles was 23.3 mph. At the second location, Augusta Drive, average speed for all vehicles (106 per day) was 18.9 mph with 1.1 percent of the vehicles traveling over 30 mph. Signs were then moved to two locations on Woodcreek Drive, #15 and #91. The traffic reports for these two locations were reviewed at the March 11, 2020 Council meeting, and it covered 21 days. This report was part of the meeting packet which is available on the City’s website. At these two locations 23,367 vehicles were captured. Of these, 14,203 were traveling between 21 and 25 mph; 3,349 were traveling below 21 mph; 311 traveling between 31 and 35; and 41 traveling between 36 and 40. Average speed for the test period was 19.7 miles per hour.
The findings at the testing locations were consistent with previous County traffic reports which showed a small percentage of vehicles exceeding the posted speed limit – concentrated during early morning and mid-afternoon hours. We have continued to collect data, although using the signs to provide health advisory messages to our citizens limited our ability to rotate the signs throughout the City.
One area of concern, cutthrough traffic that may increase with the construction of the Blue Hole school, is also being addressed. The plan has always been to collect data on Woodcreek Drive prior to the school opening and then collect data once the school opens. At this time, we have 21 consecutive days of data, and it was our plan to begin collecting data as soon as the school opened and collect for a full semester. Because of Covid-19 concerns, it is anticipated that some parents will opt to use long distance learning or home schooling rather than send their children to school. That number is not known at this time, but the District will be able to provide the information once school starts. If the number is significant, it would affect the value of the data collected for comparison, as it would not reflect true attendance, producing lower traffic counts. We may have to adjust our data collection period to have a more accurate comparison.
Regarding road repairs, we were well on our way to complete maintenance for all streets and repair a much-needed portion of Woodcreek Drive, to be followed by a post-repair assessment that would guide Council’s next steps for road repairs. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic did not allow us to move forward, due to restrictions and Hays County not being available for the work. We are, however, working on some traffic safety issues that will be implemented within the next few weeks. These include repainting the pavement warning signs and restriping golfcart crossings and crosswalks.
There is frustration among some of us who would like to be farther ahead on our road projects as well as complete the traffic measurement project, but I believe that we have been diligent in having these items on our agendas, including detailed reports. We have been delayed, but we have not abandoned our plans, and we will move forward as soon as it is possible.
In the meantime, we encourage citizens to participate in our virtual meetings and review the City’s website for information and news, including the traffic reports. Even though City Hall is closed, staff are working and taking calls, as well as electronic mail. And, as always, you can call or e-mail me, and I will do my best to answer your questions or concerns.
(Editor’s Note: The views expressed by the writer are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of the city they serve.)