AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Transportation Department wants to bring change to a stretch of road that some say is known for a lot of car crashes recently.
The department said over a five-year period between 2014 and 2018, there were 348 crashes resulting in serious injuries or fatalities within Cameron and Dessau roads between East 51st Street and Parmer Lane.
That's the stretch of road that the department says it wants to help change. But, first, it's seeking community input to better understand what drivers want to see.
They're asking people to submit input through this survey, and an interactive map tool.
The department said there is no plan set in stone yet because they just launched this comment period. Once the comment period ends on Dec. 22, the department said they'll evaluate the input and develop a proposal for changes to the road.
Another community open house could also be held early next year.
Some neighbors who live along the stretch of road, like Chris Robbins, told KVUE he thinks it's the growth of the area that has led to more traffic on the road.
“I’d say the first few years that I’ve lived here back in 2011, 2012, it wasn’t nearly as congested," said Robbins. “Just trying to get out of the neighborhood here I’ve seen people pull out right in front of other cars before just because they’re late for work or whatever. It definitely causes safety issues.”
He also said that while he thinks the growth of the area is positive, he hopes some changes can happen to the road to make it safer.
“It’s equal amounts of, 'Yes, it's dangerous and it causes some issues,' but at the same time it's growth and it's great," said Robbins. “It’s love and hate but I definitely wish it was safer, yeah.”
The Austin Transportation Department said funding for this project is available from the Local Mobility Program of the 2016 Mobility Bond.
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