My only question is why did it take so long to reach a no-brainer conclusion? Either have hike and bike trails crossing streets at traffic light-controlled intersections, or do not cross streets. As to the comment that it was done to satisfy some inane Federal requirement, THAT I have no problem believing.

Either continue walkway to nearest intersection light or install a light to stop traffic and across safely, as for as the weeds, grass etc; get goats!!

The idea that the trail must intersect major streets to qualify for federal funds sounds reasonable. I still don't believe that should overshadow safety and common sense.

I commuted for three years to a suburb of Atlanta Georgia, Alphareta. This was an affluent area (many of the Braves players lived there) and had walking/jogging trails through out. I don't recall any crossings in the area that were mid-block, they all crossed at intersections where there were traffic signals.

Likewise my daughter lives in Dallas and adjacent to their apartment complex is a large park with trails of all sorts in addition to every type of playing field you can imagine. Again these trails cross streets but not in the middle of the block and not at unprotected (traffic signal controlled) locations.

Planning, safety and common sense should be the basis for any decision affecting the public not just the ability to get federal funds to do a project. I hope the council will arrive at a permanent solution and not just take the barricades down after several weeks.

Matt,
It's ghostrider that has the full pattern.

Unfortunately, people in Victoria aren't pedestrian friendly, and most pedestrians aren't very smart. How hard is it to look both ways before you cross? I lived in a larger city for years and we had thousands of pedestrians and way more cars, yet we had less problems than victoria does. Crossing a 6 lane road was just a daily activity like brushing your teeth - you didn't have to worry about dying.

Pedestrian bridge. Do it.

Kudos to the city staff and council for finally taking action to resolve this issue.

As others have indicated I too am concerned the issue of safety was not considered before building this trail. I think the trail is a great idea but having it cross major roads mid-block is short sided thinking, in my opinion.

The issue is that pedestrians have the right-of-way in crosswalks and this crosswalk was established in a very inopportune location. This is an example of a law having good intentions but the application of the law to this situation goes against common sense.

Common sense tells us not to put a crosswalk mid-block on a heavily traveled road where the speed limit is 45MPH. Common sense further supports you (a pedestrian) do not step in front of a moving vehicle, you yield to it. Unfortunately common sense and this law are at odds.

It may be unfortunate but this trail may need to end at Stockbauer and not cross at the current location. Regarding the new school, sidewalks need to be extended down both Mockingbird and Ben Jordan and foot/bike traffic should be directed to those traffic light controlled intersections and not mid-block.

Again, thank you council for taking action even though forethought in planning should have taken this into consideration.

Matt, I'll be the first in Line.

How crazy to build this trail without an overhead type crossing. The hikers are stepping out into traffic without a thought. Yes, they have the right of way but meanwhile traffic continues. There are signs, flashing lights sometimes, vehicles, animals, etc. at these crossings. Drivers are expected to pick out a hiker or biker instantly. Plus that is all we need is to slow the traffic. This city is congested enough with slow traffic. Close the trails or get these folks off the street. City is worried about hike and bike trails and they cannot even maintain our city street lights? Who makes these decisions? Maybe they need to be replaced?

MattOcker for Mayor.

I think it is a good idea that the city revisits the trail crossing at stockbauer. The only options that the city really has are to:

1. Close it, but I don’t think that’s a good idea do to the fact it will be a good trail for kids going to the new school.

2. Make it a trail under stockbauer, but that won’t work because of the ditch for water runoff, and thugs.

3. Make it an over pass on stockbauer without any steps and extend the crossover far enough back on to each side of the trail so it would not be so steep for walker and joggers. Now keep in mind CITY Officials that this over pass has to be at least 13'6 to 14'3 for trucks traveling up and down on stockbauer. Hey I think we have a WINNER!!!!! WOW THAT WAS HARD. Now just find the MONEY to fix YOUR screw up.

A little common sense! You simply cannot make life free of every day hazards. People need to learn to take responsibility for their own lives, including their own safety. For crying out loud... stop at the street, look both ways and cross when safe. That's the way it's been done for years!

good idea! Why not in the future like in Austin's Zilker Park where there are crossing, they laid brick pavers. But then too its in a park and Austin is a biker/walker/runner friendly town---weird too!!!

Did the city approved budget for $230,000+ in grass cutting. WOW!!! what ditches are they mowing not on the trail. Maybe Ocker or Marek know the details.

Typical of the city, hurry and jump into the fire ,we'll figure how to put ourselves out later...they are some of the dumbest humans in office and should all be fired and replaced with someone with what they call, common sense. They get big salaries they do not deserve.

N45BA nailed the problem with his 5:34AM comments. I agree.

Seriously. Has anyone ever seen another place where the vehicle traffic on an extremely busy roadway such as John Stockbauer yields to a single jogger? And yes I know according to the books pedestrians have the right of way. The problem lies in the speed limit and the locations of those crossings. Another question... Does anyone else find it hard to see if and when a jogger is standing at the crossing and watching the road and other traffic around you at those locations? It may be just me but I have a hard time seeing them because it seems like its very cluttered at the crossing.

This crossing will become much busier with kids crossing next year when the new school opens. Will it become a school zone? I drive by this crossing every day and regularly see motorist who do not slow at all and in fact speed up to pass me as I slow down. Slowing down at a cross walk should be common sense. The same as looking both ways when you cross should be.
Was it a drastic decision to close the cross walk?
Imagine the outcry if someone was fatally injured and no action had been taken...

if we just had a conjunctive engineer who could interpret the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

Why wasn't the safety issue addressed when the plans to build it were in negotiations?

yea we need pumpkins flying all over the road with these idiots saying they are going to get run over..

ignorance is bliss.. Keep on peddlin folks

should the flashers and other signs be taken down or covered for now?!?!?

Yo Mayor, bring that cannon back from Cuero and blast the flashers to pieces. This site is to busy.

Rock climbing is dangerous too and they don't close the mountains.. Sometimes you have to assume a little responsibility...

N45BA who are you???

If you can't cross that road without getting hit you need to be checked out yourself... I've traveled that route as many others have and have had no problems..What are you people thinking? If you walk in front of a car you get hit..If you look both ways before you cross then you will cross uninpeeded...What do I not get??? Tell me..