on a broader concern, city council is considering adding more garage parking at ABIA, but this means parking will become even more expensive and even further out because the rental car companies want their way.
Sorry Lori - I don't think I ever responded to your specific questions! The features you are describing were designed based on input from our Cherrywood & Wilshire Woods neighbors across Airport Blvd. They were very involved in the planning for Mueller, and concerned about cut-through traffic to/from Mueller. So, these intersections were designed to preclude that cut-through movement. They are often referred to as the 'longhorn intersections' because if you look from the air, the curbed portion resembles a longhorn.
Anyway, some in Cherrywood and Wilshire Woods have now expressed their frustration in not being able to get to Mueller easily, so that's been a topic of discussion for the committee recently.
My two cents -- If those neighborhoods have speed suppression features (like the speed humps on 38 1/2), I don't think cut-through would be a problem. From the campus area, MLK, Manor and IH-35 to Airport are the only time-friendly solutions.
Betsy -- thanks for your effort. Looking forward to hearing more as it develops.
The intersections isolate Mueller from the rest of E. Austin. As Betsy says, the residents of Cherrywood/WW were the ones who wanted to preclude access from Mueller. Now they want access to Mueller. Hmm.
I need to suggest one more area where traffic is becoming dangerous in the neighborhood. Within the last three weeks I've had two very close calls while inching into traffic exiting the Petsmart parking lot near Philomena St.and turning both left and right onto Lancaster Drive.
Clear vision here while entering Lancaster is difficult with the parking all along on the street opposite Dell Children's Hospital. During the day all these spaces are fully occupied.
A heavier traffic load has developed on Lancaster and the cars passing through now move quickly and usually without caution. It is the speed with which the cars are moving that causes my problem. By the time I see them I've already inched into the street and twice I've just not seen a car and nearly had a collision. Honestly, I'm a safe driver!!
It seems to me that there is some cut through traffic is occurring here. I've noticed cut through traffic also on Mueller Blvd. and cars sometimes seem frustrated and follow too close when I drive the speed limit there. I notice that traffic is coming from 51st and traveling through to Airport and Manor.
I really wish people would drive the speed limit in the neighborhood. Lots of speeding on Zach Scott Street. For the most part it is the same people everyday. Please drive on Zach Scott the way you would like others to drive on the street you live on. The posted speed limit on Zach Scott St. is 30 MPH.
I've caught myself speeding on there the past couple of days... usually 35 by the time I realize it. The radar sign help me remember to keep an eye on it and not "zone out" trying to get home. I've seen (in other cities) similar permanent signs that did not display your current speed, only "lit up" the speed limit sign if you were speeding. A flashing yellow border around the speed limit sign or a couple of yellow ball lights that would flash if the speed limit was being exceeded, etc type thing.
