The following is District 10 Councilman Jerry Allen’s response to people who have e-mailed him about the trail/intersection closing at Lawther and Northwest. It wasn’t sent to me, but to trail user/runner/cyclist/ Back Talk reader Clay Scheitzach, who has some serious concerns about detouring to the alternate Northwest-Buckner intersection, including, he says, that “…the roadway that immediately exits from Buckner/East Lawther has no shoulder on which pedestrians may escape vehicular traffic,” and that “the cross walk has at least two sets of curbs, which are incompatible with cycling and requires the rider to essentially jump the curbs—not a good or safe concept … and this crosswalk does not appear to be ADA compliant.” He also notes that it took 15 minutes to get a crosswalk signal at that intersection, which, provided that that isn’t an exaggeration, is pretty ridiculous. From Councilman Allen:
Thank you for your email correspondence regarding the closing of Lawther Drive at Northwest Highway. I share your concern as I was just made aware of the closure this week. The project is the responsibility of TxDOT but because it affects so many citizens, I have instructed City staff to push TxDOT for a viable solution and to keep me involved in these discussions. I encourage you to contact TxDOT Area Engineer Paul Williams at 214-320-6240 or pwilli1@dot.state.tx.us to voice your concerns.
I’m guessing Mr. Williams is keeping busy these days.
