Trees in Median, Brick Walkways Downtown?
The City of La Grange will apply for a $779,000 grant to build pedestrian safety improvements in downtown.
The improvements would include a median on Travis Street from Jefferson to Main Street and enhanced crosswalks around the courthouse square.
The Transportation Alternatives Program from Texas Department of Transportation (Tx-DOT) offers grants to cities for projects designed to pedestrian and bicycle safety.
City Manager Shawn Raborn said the grant, if awarded, would help the City accomplish some of its long-term goals with little cost to taxpayers. The City’s comprehensive 30-year plan, which was last updated in 2018, calls for improved crosswalks around the square and a median to divide the opposite lanes of traffic on Travis Street.
At a City Council meeting last Monday, Raborn said trucks often park in the turning lane on Travis St. when making deliveries to businesses, which limits visibility for pedestrians and motorists. The median would force them to park elsewhere when making deliveries.
Kim Newton, the City’s Manager of Community and Economic Development, presented drawings at the meeting which showed trees planted in the new median and along the sidewalks on both sides of Travis. The project would also involve building a new sidewalk on the north side of Travis Street.
All of the pedestrian crosswalks around the square would be rebuilt as well. Newton said the crosswalks would be made of stamped concrete and painted red to resemble a brick walkway. The project also calls for a small median “island” in Washington Street.
BEFCO Engineering of La Grange estimated a cost of $779,000, which included $625,000 for construction. The remainder included $95,000 for engineering and surveying and $60,000 for grant administration, environmental and historical clearances.
The City will be able to pay the local match portion of the grant with Transportation Development Credits. If awarded, TxDOT would fully fund the construction costs. Reborn said the La Grange Economic Development Corporation agreed to pay for the engineering costs.
Council unanimously approved the grant application.