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Balch Springs officials outline roundabout gateway landscaping, commit to more safety signage
Summary
City staff described a multistage plan to replace turf with hardscape and drought-tolerant plants at the roundabout gateway and said they will investigate additional warning signage and flashing devices after board members raised safety concerns.
City of Balch Springs staff updated the Type B Economic Development Board on plans to remodel the gateway roundabout and said they will pursue enhanced warning signage after board members raised safety concerns.
Director of Public Services William Freeman presented a design that replaces grass with crushed granite, separated rock beds and drought-tolerant plants and said the work will match earlier streetscape projects. Freeman said the initial phase is “just basically the flat work and plants” and that a later phase would add a stone feature near the flagpole by a local stone fabricator, Dallas Livestone.
The board said motorists approaching the roundabout from BeltLine, Pioneer and Eastgate travel at excessive speeds and do not yield. Freeman and board members discussed several traffic-calming and warning options for investigation, including adding supplemental placard text under the existing roundabout warning signs (for example, “Yield Ahead”), installing flashing beacons on signs, thermoplastic pavement arrows, and thermoplastic or painted markings on the pavement. Freeman said he will “investigate decreased signage and, you know, flashing lights and see how can that be incorporated.”
A resident who identified himself as Mike asked whether speed bumps were possible. Freeman responded that speed bumps cannot be put on thoroughfares or any street with a posted speed limit above 25 mph, saying, “You can't put speed bumps on a thoroughfare or anything above 25 miles per hour.”
Freeman said landscaping will be low-water (hardscape/xeriscape) and noted the plan intentionally leaves space around the flagpole for a future stone artwork element. He said the landscaping work will be paid from remaining contracted services funding so it can move forward without an additional EDC funding request. The board and staff discussed a possible community art contest for the future stone or decorative element, and marketing outreach to solicit designs.
The board asked staff to return with follow-up information about specific sign types and costs. Freeman said staff already has some materials on hand and will install as much as practical once they confirm costs and availability, then report back on progress.
