Residents urge fixes near Hughes Road Elementary as city says Hughes Road project is 85% complete

Residents told the Dickinson City Council on public comment that traffic conditions near Hughes Road Elementary have become dangerous for students, teachers and buses as a federally funded reconstruction project continues.

"I've seen a teacher and three students almost get hit by a car," resident Sarah Nava said, urging the council to consider interim measures such as a one-way or other traffic controls while work continues. Nava said buses cannot safely navigate the narrow road and that parents waiting in the roadway have increased risk for accidents.

Mayor Travis Magliolo replied that Hughes Road is a federal project and not funded by city funds, but acknowledged the safety concerns: "It is going to be overlaid with asphalt. The completed project is supposed to be done by the end of September," he said, adding that staff will continue to press for safety and enforcement while construction is underway.

Resident Wally Dietz asked the city for a milestone schedule for the project and specific timing for the asphalt overlay and any ancillary drainage work. "When is the asphalt overlay going to start and does it include the northbound lane?" Dietz asked, requesting an engineer-level update. City staff told the council engineers will be invited to the next meeting to answer detailed questions.

The mayor and city manager said the project is roughly 85% complete and that staff will provide more detailed milestones at a subsequent meeting. Council members stressed the need for both enforcement of traffic laws and short-term mitigations while construction continues.