Denton City Council to Discuss Proposed Bell Avenue Bicycle and Pedestrian Corridor, Speed Limits on Residential Streets
The Denton City Council is set to discuss the proposed Bell Avenue bicycle and pedestrian corridor and speed limits on residential streets during their work session on Tuesday, October 18 starting at 2 p.m.
Access meeting agenda and video livestream. Livestream begins at 2 p.m.
Bell Avenue Bicycle and Pedestrian Corridor
Preliminary design of proposed bicycle and pedestrian corridor.
Tuesday’s work session is Council’s second discussion this year of the proposed auto-free bicycle and pedestrian corridor on Bell Avenue between Chapel Drive and Administration Drive on the TWU campus.
The first discussion took place in August, with multiple council members expressing concern about the proposal and how it might delay people traveling by automobile. Other council members expressed support for the project, arguing that it aligns with the safety-first emphasis in Denton’s 2022 Mobility Plan.
Read: Should Part of Bell Avenue Be Bicycle and Pedestrian Only? (8/3/22)
The City and TWU held a joint virtual public meeting on October 6 to share more information about the proposal and to answer questions. A recording of the public meeting is available online.
The City also offered a public opinion poll October 3-10 that provided the public with one photo of the proposed corridor design and an opportunity to share whether they are in favor or in opposition of the project. The results of the poll will be shared during Tuesday’s work session.
Image provided in the public opinion poll.
Speed Limits on Residential Streets
City Council will continue their discussion on the results of the recent citywide speed study, which was first presented at the end of September.
Read: Study: Denton Roads Seeing Above Average Crash Rates (10/1/2022)
Residential streets in Texas have a default speed limit of 30 mph. If someone driving a car strikes a person at 30 mph, there is about a 50/50 chance the person will be killed. The risk of death is higher when the person is a small child, aged adult or if the vehicle is an SUV or truck.
Image from Smart Growth America.
During Tuesday’s work session, councilmembers will discuss whether to pursue a lower speed limit of 25 mph on residential streets. Texas law currently prohibits cities from setting a speed limit lower than 25 mph except in special locations like school zones.
