MF traffic light, speed limit, road changes coming
MARK GOODSON/THE HIGHLANDER SPORTS EDITOR
Texas Department of Transportation contractors have been installing traffic cameras on Ranch to Market Road 1431 intersections this week and plan another for new signals coming to Avenue N by September. They are part of a detection system to que traffic lights to change.
BY GLYNIS CRAWFORD SMITH
THE HIGHLANDER
The City of Marble Falls is working with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) on changes that could make highway traffic through the city safer and smoother.
They involve traffic lights and another new speed limit change.
A TxDOT contractor MIDASCO began Wednesday installing cameras and street and mast arm signs on signal poles at Ranch to Market Road 1431 and Avenues Q and U.
The installation has involved some lane closures with Marble Falls Police patrol officers directing traffic, but the benefits should outweigh the inconvenience.
“These cameras are not to record traffic violations,” said City Manager Mike Hodge. “These are VIVDS (video image vehicle detection system) cameras.
“They have a wide view of the roads they monitor so they can tell a traffic signal control to change the light.”
“There should be one at the Avenue N intersection as well,” said Hodge. “Work to start installation of those signals began this week, with a target of being completed by Sept. 1.”
The Marble Falls City Council on Tuesday, Aug. 2, approved the drafting of a letter to TxDOT requesting the removal of the traffic signal on US 281 at the intersection with Seventh Street.
“At your last meeting we talked about the many complaints about signal timing along 281 from the bridge to 1431,” said Hodge. “Staff have studied the issue and determined that removing the Seventh Street light would bring spacing closer to the typical minimum TxDOT spacing (a quarter mile).”
A letter from the city council is expected to generate a study by TxDOT on the feasibility of removing the light.
“A study was done before that light was installed, but traffic has changed since then,” said Hodge.
“We get complaints all day long about those lights not being synced,” said Mayor John Packer.
Hodge noted that it would be the city conducting a study of the intersection of US 281 with Mission Hills and Mormon Mill Road.
“That will be part of next year's budget,” he said.
Also at Tuesday night's meeting, City Engineer Eric Belaj presented the first reading of an ordinance to change the speed limit on Texas 71 between US 281 and Baylor Scott & White Highland Lakes.
“After the new hospital opened last year, first responders training there noticed the traffic traveling 75 mph past it was as hazard,” said Belaj. “TxDOT found it warranted a change to 60 mph. The proposed ordinance to change the speed limit has been published twice in The Highlander and the staff recommends approval after a second public hearing at the next council meeting.
Throughout the month of July city crews have been preparing Third, Fifth and Seventh Streets on the west side of the city to become part of the regular street maintenance program conducted in coordination with the Burnet County Road & Bridge Department paving equipment.
“The city did the preparation and a contractor poured the gutters,” said Hodge. “Some of the residents seem surprised but pleased.”
The city council budgeted and extra $50,000 for regular repairs, bringing the total available to $100,000.
“We propose $150,000 in this year's budget proposal and hope to add another $50,000 the next year,” said Hodge.
The project to expand Broadway Street from Avenue G to Avenue E, will be more extensive, with a new water line, curb and gutter and sidewalks. The project for as much as $500,000, is part of the city's Capital Improvement Plan and should begin in early 2017.
