Bike Friendly Richardson

From the City of Richardson‘s weekly newsletter:

The City Council on Monday discussed an ongoing TxDOT study of US-75 from I-635 to Highway 121. The study is designed to identify and address mobility needs in the corridor to meet future growth, enhance quality of life, support economic development and improve public safety. 

The City of Richardson is developing a vision statement for the project, which identifies goals the City has for the project. Preliminary goals include finding congestion relief on both sides of US-75 and keeping the highway from becoming a greater vertical barrier. The City is also seeking to keep the highway easily accessible for local drivers and enhance pedestrian and bicycle mobility across the corridor. 

Study leaders are examining several transportation alternatives in the corridor, including the addition of freeway lanes and managed lanes, arterial improvements and public transportation enhancements. 

Watch the work session presentation at http://bit.ly/XHh1z1.

I have to say, I’m certainly glad the City is listening to it’s citizens. It seems like every planning meeting that I’ve attended had folks complaining about the vertical barrier of US-75, splitting the city into two – and that there aren’t any safe, south-side crossings for pedestrians and cyclists. I hope TxDOT takes that into serious consideration.

I wouldn’t mind seeing a nice pedestrian/bike underpass or bridge crossing US-75. south of Belt Line Road. We’ve got some great, under-highway passages on both sides of Renner Road. Let’s give some attention to our southern neighbors.