Not far from the Harvard Street-Cole Avenue stretch of the Katy Trail where a cyclist and motorist recently had their head-on how-do is the Knox Street intersection, which city planners have long identified as one of the many trail crossings citywide in need of a safety overhaul. Matter of fact, back in October '09, then-newly installed bike coordinator Max Kalhammer and two other Department of Public Works and Transportation staffers prepped this doc -- City of Dallas
Standards and Guidelines
for
Traffic Control and Safety Treatments
at
Trail-Road Crossings -- in advance of work on the new Dallas Bike Plan.
But the city can't fund these improvements all on its own; hence, a request to the Texas Department of Transportation, which, per the city today, has approved a total of $887,000 that will go toward "the installation of traffic control and safety treatments" along several paths: the Katy Trail, the White Rock Creek/Lake Loop Trail, the Preston Ridge Trail and the Cottonwood Trail, the East Dallas Veloway (Santa Fe Trail). Which doesn't include city money that will be spent elsewhere.
Kalhammer just sent out five releases detailing the whats, wheres and whens (none of these changes will begin taking shape till 2011-'12). Council members whose districts will be directly affected by the announcement are, of course, delighted. Says Angela Hunt, "These improvements will have a positive impact on thousands of trail users and drive"; adds Sheffie Kadane, good on TxDOT "for stepping up and funding this critical safety step at our many trail crossings around White Rock Lake and on the soon-to-be Katy Trail extension." To which Linda Koop adds: "We are also confident that the improved visibility at these trail and roadway crossings will mean fewer accidents involving bicyclists and drivers." More deets on the other side. Watch your step.
TxDOT approves funding for Dallas trail-road crossing work; District 14 will receive $40,000 to enhance safety, improve streets
DALLAS - The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has approved funding for the installation of traffic control and safety treatments along the Katy Trail in District 14. The project, to be implemented in 2011-2012, represents the first widespread implementation of a City-wide standard that is intended to enhance safety and efficiency for the transportation system where shared-use pathways intersect with the street system.
"Trail safety is a priority for the City of Dallas," said District 14 Councilmember Angela Hunt. "These improvements will have a positive impact on thousands of trail users and drivers." Individual crossings in this TxDOT Surface Transportation Enhancement Program project will be considered early implementations of the 2011 Dallas Bike Plan, and each will be regarded as a near-term "high-priority" project.
The Katy Trail's project crossing treatments in District 14 will be at Houston/Victory, the U.S. 75 Central Expressway service roads at McCommas Blvd., and at Worcola St. Early implementation of the standard will be done prior to the letting of the project, using other City funds, at Knox St. and Harvard St.
In addition to the Katy Trail, safety treatments will be implemented along the Preston Ridge Trail, the East Dallas Veloway (Santa Fe Trail), the White Rock Creek/Lake Loop Trail and the Cottonwood Trail, with a total funding of $887,000. The basic treatment package for each crossing type will depend on whether the crossing is signalized or un-signalized, and whether it is a mid-block crossing or a crossing near or at a roadway intersection. Lighting at each crossing will be designed to improve visibility of the trail user from the roadway.
TxDOT approves funding for Dallas trail-road crossings; District 9 will receive $217,000 to enhance safety for trail users
DALLAS - The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has approved funding for the installation of traffic control and safety treatments along the White Rock Creek/Lake Loop Trail in District 9. The project, to be implemented in 2011-2012, represents the first widespread implementation of a City-wide standard that is intended to enhance safety and efficiency for the transportation system where shared-use pathways intersect with the street system.
District 9 Councilmember Sheffie Kadane thanked TxDOT "for stepping up and funding this critical safety step at our many trail crossings around White Rock Lake and on the soon-to-be Katy Trail extension." Individual crossings in this TxDOT Surface Transportation Enhancement Program project will be considered early implementations of the 2011 Dallas Bike Plan, and each will be regarded as a near-term "high-priority" project.
On the White Rock Lake Loop Trail treatments will be done at twelve un-signalized crossings of drives around the Lake. On the White Rock Creek Trail-North, northwest of the lake, treatments will be done at the crossings of the on-ramp and exit for Mockingbird Lane, and at a mid-block crossing of West Lawther Road. Implementation of this project at the crossing of Northwest Highway will not be necessary after TxDOT re-opens it as a separated-grade (tunnel) crossing as part of its own roadway reconstruction project. However, the treatments may be implemented at the end of the sidewalk connection which has been established by TxDOT between Northwest Highway/W. Lawther Road and the crosswalks at the driveway for White Rock Station. The crossings to be addressed on the Katy Trail in District 9 will be at Fisher Road, Town North Drive, Fenton Drive and Walling Lane.
In addition to White Rick Creek/Lake Loop Trail and the Katy Trail, these treatments will be implemented along the Preston Ridge Trail, the East Dallas Veloway, and the Cottonwood Trail, with a total project funding of $887,000. The basic treatment package for each crossing type will depend on whether the crossing is signalized or un-signalized, and whether it is a mid-block crossing or a crossing near or at a roadway intersection. Lighting at each crossing will be designed to improve visibility of the trail user from the roadway.
TxDOT approves funding for Dallas trail-road crossings; District 11 will receive $86,000 to enhance safety for trail users
DALLAS - The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has approved funding for the installation of traffic control and safety treatments along the Preston Ridge Trail and the Cottonwood Trail in District 11. The project, to be implemented in 2011-2012, represents the first widespread implementation of a City-wide standard that is intended to enhance safety and efficiency for the transportation system where shared-use pathways intersect with the street system.
"We are also confident that the improved visibility at these trail and roadway crossings will mean fewer accidents involving bicyclists and drivers," said District 11 Councilmember Linda Koop. Individual crossings in this TxDOT Surface Transportation Enhancement Program project will be considered early implementations of the 2011 Dallas Bike Plan, and each will be regarded as a near-term "high-priority" project.
On the Preston Ridge Trail in District 11, the crossing treatments will be implemented at Cliffbrook Drive, Carriage Lane, and at Belt Line Road. On the Cottonwood Trail, the project will address the crossings at Greenhollow Lane, Clearsprings Road, Rolling Hills Lane, a service alley, Brookgreen Drive, and Maham Road.
In addition to the Preston Ridge Trail and the Cottonwood Trail, these treatments will also be implemented along East Dallas Veloway (Santa Fe Trail), the Katy Trail, and the White Rock Creek/Lake Loop Trail, for a total funding of $887,000. The basic treatment package for each crossing type will depend on whether the crossing is signalized or un-signalized, and whether it is a mid-block crossing or a crossing near or at a roadway intersection. Lighting at each crossing will be designed to improve visibility of the trail user from the roadway.
TxDOT approves funding for Dallas trail-road crossings; District 2 will receive $103,000 to enhance safety for trail users
DALLAS - The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has approved funding for the installation of standardized traffic control and safety treatments along the East Dallas Veloway (Santa Fe Trail) in District 2. The project, to be implemented in 2011-2012, represents the first widespread implementation of a City-wide standard that is intended to enhance safety and efficiency for the transportation system where shared-use pathways intersect with the street system.
"This project has the potential to reduce auto emissions and improve air quality in our city," said Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Pauline Medrano, District 2. "It's clear that the better our transportation system works, the better our environment and quality of life." Individual crossings in this TxDOT Surface Transportation Enhancement Program project will be considered early implementations of the 2011 Dallas Bike Plan, and each will be regarded as a near-term "high-priority" project.
On the Santa Fe Trail, 10 context-appropriate treatment packages will be implemented at ten locations: Hill Ave., Carroll Ave. Bank St., Fitzhugh Ave., Munger Blvd., St. Mary Ave., Henderson Ave., Beacon St., Mt. Auburn Ave., and Glasgow Drive. It may also be feasible under this project to implement the treatments at a few more crossings on the extension of the trail north towards the White Rock Lake area.
In addition to the Santa Fe Trail's at-grade crossing treatments, the project will be implemented along the Preston Ridge Trail, the Katy Trail, the White Rock Creek/Lake Loop Trail and the Cottonwood Trail, with a total funding of $887,000. The basic treatment package for each crossing type will depend on whether the crossing is signalized or un-signalized, and whether it is a mid-block crossing or a crossing near or at a roadway intersection. Lighting at each crossing will be designed to improve visibility of the trail user from the roadway.
TxDOT approves funding for Dallas trail-road crossings; District 12 will receive $274,000 to enhance safety for trail users
DALLAS - The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has approved funding for the installation of traffic control and safety treatments along the Preston Ridge Trail in District 12. The project, to be implemented in 2011-2012, represents the first widespread implementation of a City-wide standard that is intended to enhance safety and efficiency for the transportation system where shared-use pathways intersect with the street system.
"Safety is our number one priority and this project will make bicycle and pedestrian areas in District 12 safer and more efficient," said Councilmember Ron Natinsky. Individual crossings in this TxDOT Surface Transportation Enhancement Program project will be considered early implementations of the 2011 Dallas Bike Plan. Each will also be regarded as a near-term "high-priority" project.
In District 12, traffic control and safety treatments will be implemented at these Preston Ridge Trail crossing locations:
Arapaho Road
Hillcrest Road
Chattington Drive
Roundrock Road
Fallmeadow Lane
La Cosa Drive
La Bolsa Drive
Alto Caro Drive
La Sobrina Drive
La Manga Drive
Carta Valley Drive
Brentfield Drive
Meandering Way
Meadow Creek Drive
Brentfield Court
Campbell Road
Queens Garden Drive
Mullrany Drive
Chadwick Court
Alley
Driveway to Development
McCallum Blvd.
RR Tracks
Driveway to Development
Debbe Drive
Frankford RoadIn addition to addressing crossings on the Preston Ridge Trail (also in District 11), these treatments will be implemented along the East Dallas Veloway (Santa Fe Trail), the Katy Trail, the White Rock Creek/Lake Loop Trail and the Cottonwood Trail, with a total funding of $887,000. The basic treatment package for each crossing type will depend on whether the crossing is signalized or un-signalized, and whether it is a mid-block crossing or a crossing near or at a roadway intersection. Lighting at each crossing will be designed to improve visibility of the trail user from the roadway.
