The McKinney City Council convened on December 3, 2024, to discuss various transportation and pedestrian safety initiatives within the city. The meeting focused on data collection efforts and potential improvements to pedestrian crossings, particularly in light of ongoing projects with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

The council highlighted a recent partnership with a company to analyze pedestrian and vehicle traffic at 25 locations along El Dorado Parkway to Highway 380. Using traffic cameras, the city gathered data over a week, revealing pedestrian counts that averaged about one person per hour at certain crossings. This data will be crucial in discussions with TxDOT regarding the need for enhanced safety measures. However, council members expressed concern that the low pedestrian numbers might not warrant immediate action from TxDOT, potentially delaying necessary improvements.

Council members emphasized the importance of making pedestrian crossings safer and more convenient, noting that people are less likely to walk long distances to cross safely. They discussed the need for targeted crossings to encourage pedestrian traffic, particularly in areas where development is planned, such as the downtown region.

Additionally, the council reported progress in collaboration with TxDOT on the Highway 5 project, identifying three locations—Sanifer, Lamar, and Smith Street—for new traffic signals. Due to delays in the project, the council is exploring the installation of temporary span wire signals that could be equipped with pedestrian features to enhance safety during construction.

Overall, the meeting underscored the city's commitment to improving pedestrian safety and accessibility, particularly as McKinney continues to grow and develop. The council plans to use the collected data to advocate for necessary changes with TxDOT and ensure that pedestrian needs are met in future infrastructure projects.