Transportation Officials Mulling Creation Of School Zone In East Austin After Accidents

EAST AUSTIN, TX — The Texas Department of Transportation has tentatively approved the creation of a special school zone for traffic along FM 969 near Decker Lane in East Austin, officials said.

TxDot officials noted in a press release that the proposal still needs approval of the Texas Transportation Commission before its implementation. A vote on the matter could be taken in the next month or two.

“Like you, we take safety extremely seriously here at TxDOT,” Terry McCoy, Austin District Engineer said. “We understand there are some safety concerns in this area with drivers pulling into and out of schools. Because of this, we are taking this unusual step to provide additional protection for all motorists passing through this busy stretch of highway.”

The decision to create the special school zone comes in the wake of concerns raised about recent crashes involving parents, children and teachers attending several private schools on the south side of FM 969, including KIPP Austin and Discovery School, officials said.

A school zone typically is used to slow traffic to protect children crossing and walking along roads near schools. Studies have shown no children walk in this area, but there is heavy school commuter traffic, officials noted.

A proposed project to widen and improve FM 969 to include a center-turn lane in the area is still under development and could also help make the traffic flow safer and more effectively in this corridor, TxDot officials said.

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