Belton reviews Main Street and Riverfare traffic studies; staff weighs signals, lanes and roundabouts

The Belton City Council on April 8 received staff reports on a traffic-impact analysis for Riverfare Boulevard and a separate Main Street traffic study. Staff said short-term measures (signal timing, turn-lane adjustments and reconfigured driveway movements) could reduce crashes and congestion, while longer-term solutions under consideration include additional turn lanes and single- or multi-leg roundabouts at key intersections.

Why it matters: The corridor near Riverfare (the cluster of retail including Starbucks, McDonald’s and Panda Express) has seen crashes and congestion; council members said safety and pedestrian character downtown are priorities as private development proceeds. Main Street congestion between Second and Sixth Avenues was the study’s focal point, and staff said improvements there could both improve traffic flow and support downtown economic activity.

Riverfare findings and near-term fixes

City staff summarized the Riverfare Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) and crash report. Staff said there were 32 crashes in the general Riverfare area since 2019, resulting in 15 reported injuries and involving approximately 65 vehicles and 96 people. The study evaluated signal spacing and noted TxDOT’s typical guideline of about 1,400 feet between signalized intersections. TxDOT officials and the city staff indicated the intersection near Starbucks is currently too close to an existing signal to meet standard spacing without further justification.

Short-term options identified by staff include: - Adjusting signal timing and coordination with TxDOT and the city’s engineering team. - Adding a left-turn lane or converting a shoulder to a dedicated right-turn lane at the Riverfare approach. - Considering right-turn-only restrictions at the Riverfare driveway and installing medians to limit unsafe two-stage left turning movements.

Staff said TxDOT suggested encouraging u-turn movements where appropriate because U-turns can be safer than unprotected left turns in some configurations. Staff also noted that, if the city wanted a traffic signal installed on the TxDOT route, the city may need to provide data demonstrating signal warrants and could be expected to share installation costs.

Main Street findings and roundabout analysis

The Main Street study highlighted congestion and vehicle-queueing primarily between Second and Sixth Avenues. Staff described outdated signal timing and several geometric constraints in the historic corridor that limit simple widening.

Longer-term options that received the most discussion were roundabouts at Second Avenue and Sixth Avenue. Staff presented conceptual layouts for: - Single-lane, four-leg roundabout at Second Avenue (smaller right-of-way impacts). - Three-leg and four-leg roundabout configurations at Sixth Avenue (higher level of service for traffic movements but larger right-of-way needs and property impacts).

City engineer John (participating virtually) described truck apron zones and raised splitter islands in the concepts to accommodate larger vehicles. Staff emphasized that a roundabout on only one intersection could shift congestion elsewhere; the study therefore examined paired improvements so benefits would not simply displace problems to adjacent blocks.

Coordination, costs and next steps

Staff said Sixth Avenue is under TxDOT's project list for maintenance or reconstruction in 2027 (FM 93/Second Avenue work is also moving forward), and right-of-way acquisition timelines could align with those projects. City staff recommended: pursue signal timing adjustments immediately, plan for targeted lane or turn-lane changes, continue coordination with TxDOT, and perform further schematic design and right-of-way studies for roundabout options if council wishes to pursue them.

Council reaction and context

Council members expressed concern about speeds and risky turning behavior at Riverfare and urged staff to keep pressure on TxDOT for interim safety improvements. Several members framed roundabouts as an economic development and placemaking tool for downtown if implemented carefully.

Ending: Staff will bring back refined analyses and cost estimates as part of the city’s capital‑project planning and continue discussions with TxDOT and property stakeholders; no formal action was required at the April 8 meeting.