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Advisory panel backs directional sidewalk signs for Keeland Bridge after safety concerns
Summary
After hearing a resident describe close calls with pedestrians on Keeland Bridge, the Transportation Safety Advisory Committee recommended installing directional signs at both ends of the bridge to encourage use of the existing sidewalk and reduce conflicts between motorists and walkers.
The Transportation Safety Advisory Committee on May 6 recommended installing directional signs at both ends of Keeland (Kingland) Bridge to encourage pedestrians to use the bridge's single sidewalk.
Staff described a citizen request and cited the Texas Transportation Code, noting that "a pedestrian may not walk along and on a roadway if an adjacent sidewalk is provided and is accessible to pedestrians," but observed that a single sidewalk on one side is not necessarily accessible at all times. Staff recommended installing two caution/wayfinding signs, with arrows pointing pedestrians to the sidewalk, as a safety measure.
Citizen submitter Greg Bushman — who told the committee he has lived in Deer Meadow Estates for 25 years — described multiple instances of joggers and walkers using the roadway side opposite the sidewalk and said that situation can create tight passing conditions and near-misses. "That's what motivated me to submit this request to the committee," Bushman said, urging a simple, inexpensive intervention to reduce the risk of a collision.
Committee members discussed placement and wording of the signs, agreeing the signs should be placed on the non-sidewalk side of the bridge and recommending an emphasis on safety wording (for example, "for your safety use the sidewalk"). Staff and a police lieutenant also explained enforcement limits: officers can advise pedestrians but, where an adjacent sidewalk is not accessible to a particular pedestrian at a particular time, ticketing may not be legally enforceable.
Committee members asked whether a crosswalk or adding a second sidewalk would be better; staff advised against a crosswalk at the bridge approach because of sight-distance and speed concerns and said the bridge is too narrow to accommodate a second sidewalk without major structural work. After discussion a member moved to recommend placement of the signs as depicted in the committee packet; John Wall seconded the motion and the committee voted to recommend installation.
The committee instructed staff to proceed with placement consistent with the packet illustration and to use arrows directing pedestrians to the sidewalk. The committee recorded no formal vote tally in the meeting transcript; staff will implement the signage placement and monitor the effect.
The committee moved on to other agenda items. The report and the sign depiction are available in the meeting packet.
