Council eyes Emory Farms options
HUTTO – The intersection of Emory Farms Avenue, Alliance Boulevard (County Road 165) and Schneider Boulevard was the topic of a recent City Council workshop. The issue centers on a roundabout intended to divert large trucks exiting Western Industries (1050 New Technology Blvd.) from driving through the adjoining neighborhood.
“Due to the size that was installed it’s not maneuverable to large trucks so they take the path of least resistance, which is to cut through the neighborhood, or going against traffic southbound on Alliance,” John Wagner, a managing principal for design firm Studio 16:19 told the council. “They’re having a hard time using the roundabout as designed. It’s too small.”
Wagner presented four design concepts to alleviate the issue: A full-span gateway across Emory Farms limiting the height of trucks that can enter the neighborhood, estimated cost $650,000; A narrowed-width column and gateway that will limit the height of trucks and reduce the width of the road into the neighborhood by adding landscape and columns on either side, estimated cost $508,000; A landscaped median with a single column that will reduce the lane width on Emory Farms Avenue to discourage entry by trucks, estimated cost $375,000; and, Enlargement of the roundabout to an appropriate size so that large vehicles can use it as was originally intended, estimated cost $1.2 million.
Council determined more conversations would be needed with city staff before determining the most appropriate solution.
Ed Schmidt traffic study scheduled Ed Schmidt Boulevard is slated for a traffic study to help ease traffic congestion.
The study was approved by City Council during the March 23 meeting. The two main areas of data collection will be the entrance to Lowe’s (Townwest Commons) and the intersection at Limmer Loop. Council approved $48,418 for the two month project.
The intersection of Ed Schmidt at Hwy. 79 will also be part of a separate Texas Department of Transportation traffic light study aimed at maximizing efficiency of traffic flow. That area will see relief as Townwest Commons builds roadway access at Alliance Boulevard to siphon traffic from the intersection ahead of opening new anchor businesses.
Potholes, anyone?
Now that winter has given way to warmer temperatures, the city is receiving many requests to fix new potholes caused by severe weather. Residents can report necessary street repairs and other public works problems such as missing street signs directly to the City via the Citizen Report Tracker on the City website. On www.HuttoTx.gov, the tracker button is on the home page.
Vote by mail registration closing soon
Hutto residents who want to vote in the school bond and city council election May 6, but cannot vote in person have just a few more days to submit an application to vote by mail. The law allows voting by mail for people aged 65 and over, those who are sick or disabled, those who are expected to give birth within three weeks of election day, or those who will be out of the country during early voting and on election day. Applications must be received by Tuesday, April 25. For more information visit www. VoteTexas.gov.
