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Residents urge Brownsville to fix sidewalks, lighting and dangerous intersections
Summary
Multiple residents told the commission about gaps in sidewalks, faulty light posts, and dangerous stretches of roadway, urging targeted sidewalk projects, better lighting and traffic‑calming measures in Southmost, Morningside and near UTRGV.
At a Nov. 18 Brownsville City Commission meeting, a string of public commenters urged the city to prioritize pedestrian safety through sidewalk repairs, better crosswalks, targeted lighting improvements and traffic‑calming measures.
"I want to talk about changing every other lighting pole in my neighborhood to direct lighting," Aurelie Duran said, saying that focused light reduces dark patches and improves pedestrian safety. Carla Amona Hernandez, a UT‑RGV student, told commissioners that sidewalks frequently end abruptly, forcing students and residents to walk in the street and called for expanded sidewalk and crosswalk projects in low‑income neighborhoods, including Southmost and Morningside.
Michelle Dominguez said the Battlefield Bike Trail lacks shade, benches and water, creating health risks in Brownsville’s hot, humid weather and urged tree‑planting and bench installation. Several residents spoke about a specific intersection at North Central Avenue and Mackenzie Road where staff reported 14 (now 15) accidents in a 200‑foot radius over the last 18 months; one resident said a light pole was knocked into a daycare play area during a recent crash.
Commission traffic staff described upcoming calming measures for the Mackenzie/Central corridor, including flashing speed signs, new striping and bike‑lane bollards; staff also said the city will monitor speeds and consider adjustments if the 85th‑percentile speeds remain above posted limits. Residents proposed additional changes such as revised signal timing and speed bumps.
One commenter, Diablo Velez, used his time to make unrelated claims and requested changes to enforcement practices for people asking for money; his remarks were separate from other comments and did not prompt immediate staff action.
The commission did not vote on a specific omnibus pedestrian project that night but approved suspending speaker limits to hear all public comments and heard staff outline traffic‑calming measures planned for the Mackenzie‑Central corridor.
