New Pedestrian Crossing Maintains Dangerous Design at Former Intersection of Mayhill and Edwards
November 19, 2024
Intersection of what used to be Mayhill Road and Edwards Road. Pedestrian crossing has ramps but no marked crosswalk or way to stop vehicular traffic in order to cross.
A new dangerously designed pedestrian crossing remains unchanged at the former intersection of Mayhill Road and Edwards Road more than two months after Bike Denton first contacted city staff about the safety concern. City staff have not shared any plans or commitment to address the safety concerns despite multiple requests by Bike Denton since September 8.
As part of the Mayhill Phase II project, the City of Denton built a new pedestrian crossing on the south side of what used to be the intersection of Mayhill Road and Edwards Road. The pedestrian crossing was designed with no marked crosswalk or way for pedestrian traffic to stop four lanes of motor vehicle traffic in order to safely cross the roadway.
Designs for Mayhill Phase II project in the area near Mayhill Road and the DCTA A-Train tracks and trail. Pink line, added by Bike Denton, indicates the dangerous new pedestrian crossing.
The traffic light that previously controlled vehicular traffic is now disabled at this intersection. Drivers are now guided to pass through the intersection without stopping–with some drivers taking the turn at a high speed.
Pedestrians young and old must do their best to cross four lanes of no-stop turning traffic at just the right time and hope that, if they misjudge their timing, drivers will see them and stop.
Before the Mayhill Phase II project, there was no sidewalk or sidepath between the DCTA Rail Trail and the 10-foot sidepath on the east side of Mayhill Road, which was constructed during the first phase of the project. People walking, biking or rolling had to choose between traveling in the road with motor vehicles or off-roading in the grass to access the Mayhill sidepath from the rail trail.
Below is a video of this crossing and segment before construction of Mayhill Phase II.
The Mayhill Phase II project added sidewalks of varying widths to link the rail trail and the Mayhill sidepath together. The pedestrian crossing on the south side of what used to be Edwards Road and Mayhill Road has pedestrian ramps on each side of the intersection. However, this crossing does not have a marked crosswalk or a way to stop vehicular traffic in order to cross safely.
This month, the City added new striping and signage to improve safety for people in motor vehicles but still has not installed anything to provide safer crossing for people outside of motor vehicles.
New striping and signage added this month guides motorists through the intersection without stopping. Traffic signals are deactivated.
This pedestrian crossing is the most direct route for residents of the nearby Pecan Creek Manufactured Home Community to access the DCTA Rail Trail. This intersection is also part of the 2045 Regional Veloweb, a planned regional expressway network for active transportation.
The NCTCOG Trails and On-Street Bikeways GIS map shows the DCTA Rail Trail and the Mayhill sidepath as part of the Regional Veloweb.
Bike Denton will continue to ask the City of Denton to provide a safe pedestrian crossing at this location. Updates will be posted as they’re received. In the meantime, you can help by contacting your Denton City Council member to share your experiences and concerns about this crossing.
