Change is underway along a well-traveled corridor in Keller, as crews are actively repaving a section of Bear Creek Parkway between Whitley Road, Elm Street, and Rufe Snow Drive. The city announced on Wednesday that these improvements will also include measures aimed at slowing down drivers, prompted by a recent incident involving 14-year-old Nina Alvarez, who was severely injured in a crosswalk collision.
“We’ve taken into account a lot of the feedback we received online, including suggestions, and we’re doing as much as possible to enhance safety on our streets,” said Alonzo Linan, Keller’s Director of Public Works.
In response to Nina’s accident, the city plans to upgrade the crosswalks with additional flashing warning lights. They will also paint “shark teeth” pavement markers ahead of both crosswalks on Bear Creek Parkway to grab drivers’ attention and serve as yield signs.
“With so many distractions competing for our attention, we need to make these safety measures even more noticeable,” Linan emphasized.
Leo Alvarez, Nina’s father, spoke out after the incident, advocating for changes and reforms from the city. He initiated a petition urging stronger measures to compel drivers to slow down. Police determined that the driver who struck Nina was speeding and failed to stop promptly.
“A simple flashing light can make a difference, but we need to ensure drivers are actually stopping,” Alvarez stressed.
As part of their strategy to curb speeding, Keller plans to add a turning lane along Bear Creek Parkway, converting two lanes into three.
“This effectively serves as a passive traffic calming measure by narrowing the road, which tends to naturally reduce driving speeds,” Linan explained.
This approach is recommended by safety experts and has proven effective in other cities. For instance, in Edmonton, Canada, reducing lane sizes significantly contributed to a 50% reduction in traffic fatalities over six years, according to investigations by NBC5.
City officials in Keller hope these proactive changes will prevent future tragedies.
“We’re committed to doing everything possible to enhance safety,” Linan affirmed, noting that weather permitting, the city aims to complete these improvements by the end of the month.
Change is underway along a well-traveled corridor in Keller, as crews are actively repaving a section of Bear Creek Parkway between Whitley Road, Elm Street, and Rufe Snow Drive. The city announced on Wednesday that these improvements will also include measures aimed at slowing down drivers, prompted by a recent incident involving 14-year-old Nina Alvarez, who was severely injured in a crosswalk collision.
“We’ve taken into account a lot of the feedback we received online, including suggestions, and we’re doing as much as possible to enhance safety on our streets,” said Alonzo Linan, Keller’s Director of Public Works.
In response to Nina’s accident, the city plans to upgrade the crosswalks with additional flashing warning lights. They will also paint “shark teeth” pavement markers ahead of both crosswalks on Bear Creek Parkway to grab drivers’ attention and serve as yield signs.
“With so many distractions competing for our attention, we need to make these safety measures even more noticeable,” Linan emphasized.
Leo Alvarez, Nina’s father, spoke out after the incident, advocating for changes and reforms from the city. He initiated a petition urging stronger measures to compel drivers to slow down. Police determined that the driver who struck Nina was speeding and failed to stop promptly.
“A simple flashing light can make a difference, but we need to ensure drivers are actually stopping,” Alvarez stressed.
As part of their strategy to curb speeding, Keller plans to add a turning lane along Bear Creek Parkway, converting two lanes into three.
“This effectively serves as a passive traffic calming measure by narrowing the road, which tends to naturally reduce driving speeds,” Linan explained.
This approach is recommended by safety experts and has proven effective in other cities. For instance, in Edmonton, Canada, reducing lane sizes significantly contributed to a 50% reduction in traffic fatalities over six years, according to investigations by NBC5.
City officials in Keller hope these proactive changes will prevent future tragedies.
“We’re committed to doing everything possible to enhance safety,” Linan affirmed, noting that weather permitting, the city aims to complete these improvements by the end of the month.
