Council orders designs for Tavish and Highland pedestrian upgrades, delays big left-turn construction pending further study

Lakeway City Council on Monday directed staff to move forward with design and near-term implementation of pedestrian-safety measures at two Highlands Boulevard crossings and to study a more complex left-turn configuration at Highlands and Lakeway Boulevard.

What council approved: By unanimous vote, council instructed staff to: - Immediately proceed with engineering, design and implementation planning for a raised pedestrian crosswalk and rectangular rapid-flashing beacon (RRFB) or HAWK-style crossing enhancements at Highlands Boulevard and Tavish Trail (Tavish). - Proceed with design and implementation planning for raised pedestrian crosswalks at the Highlands Boulevard/Bee Creek Road roundabout (staff will initially exclude RRFBs at that roundabout and focus on raised crossings and striping). - Undertake additional engineering study for Highlands Boulevard at Lakeway Boulevard (to include the adjacent Hills Drive connection) to evaluate options that may include pavement markings, pavement arrows, painted median extensions and the feasibility and cost of constructing a dedicated left-turn bay.

Cost and funding context: Engineering presented three project cost estimates: (1) raised crosswalks and flashers at the Bee Creek/Highlands roundabout — about $266,000; (2) an upgraded crossing with mast arms at Tavish Trail and Highlands — about $171,000; and (3) striping and an added left-turn bay at Highlands/Lakeway — total estimate nearly $399,000 (roughly $282,000 of that total was the left-turn bay construction). The aggregate estimate for all three projects was about $836,000. Council directed staff to begin design and seek to fund the near-term work and recommended using capital reserves to start the design and initial work while the long-term CIP is refined.

Council rationale and next steps: Members said Tavish crossing improvements were the highest near-term safety priority and favored an incremental approach for the more expensive left-turn bay at Lakeway Boulevard (paint/markings and RRFBs first, full lane construction later if needed). Council asked staff to prioritize Tavish and the roundabout raised crosswalks and to perform design and detailed cost estimates that will guide construction timing and budgeting. Staff will return with engineered plans, construction-ready documents and recommended funding sources for council approval.

Why it matters: The intersections are on busy collector roads near schools and recreation centers; council emphasized pedestrian safety, visibility of crossings and emergency vehicle access. The outcome will shape construction and budgeting decisions in the near-term capital planning cycle.

What to expect: Staff will contract for engineering/design work, produce construction documents, and then return with budget amendments and a schedule to execute the prioritized projects. Council directed staff to use capital reserves pending refined cost estimates and CIP adjustments.