Anti-Pedestrian “Ramp to Nowhere” Now Goes Somewhere

June 2, 2021

Years after automobile access was fully restored following the widening of University Drive, pedestrian access across University Drive at Alice Street is finally being provided.

During the widening of University Drive, a pedestrian ramp was constructed on the northeast corner of University and Alice. However, the space inexplicably ended in a concrete pad surrounded by curbs, effectively trapping anyone using a wheelchair, stroller, walker, or other wheeled device. It did not connect to the shopping center parking lot, and TxDOT failed to build sidewalks to provide pedestrian access along the north side of University Drive.

Anti-pedestrian ramp to nowhere.

Residents, like Sally Austin, have asked for years for this issue to be addressed. Austin is a retiree who lives car-free in Denton. She often walks to the grocery store with a rolling cart, crossing at Alice Street. This ramp to nowhere has forced her to take the more dangerous route of exiting the crosswalk to walk in the same space as high-speed vehicular traffic.

On a recent trip, making her typical walk to the grocery store, rolling cart in tow, Austin was met with a surprise: “Then I saw it. I exclaimed out loud, ‘Oh my God!’ over and over again. It’s like Christmas morning! I can’t believe it!”

The advocacy work of Austin and others had finally paid off. The ramp is in the process of being connected to the parking lot.

Ramp to somewhere is nearing completion.

This is an example of how speaking up and advocating for something can lead to change. It’s also an example of how we need to be better at making basic considerations for people who are traveling outside of an automobile—especially our neighbors who use a wheelchair, walker, stroller, or other wheeled device. “Small” things like this ramp to nowhere discourage active travel for people who have the choice and endangers the lives of people who don’t have the option to drive.