Bicycle Austin forum

MichaelBluejay

Webmaster

From: Austin, TX

Registered: 2008-05-26

Posts: 1,455

Website

Austin ISD opens new pedestrian bridge in NE Austin

The bridge opened on 5/7/14.

Before the bridge, students at Hart Elementary had to walk around a creek, several miles out of their way.  Most students at the school live within a mile or two of the campus, but the Little Walnut Creek river that runs near the school made it impossible to get their directly.

The bridge allows a majority of the 720 students enrolled at the school to now walk or ride easily. The trip is less than a mile for most of them now with that direct access.  The project also included nearly 300 feet of sidewalk, enhanced lighting and some landscaping.

The new connections will allow AISD to cancel 10 of the 11 school buses that once served the campus.

http://www.kvue.com/news/editors-pick/A … picks=true

dougmc

Administrator

Registered: 2008-06-01

Posts: 623

Re: Austin ISD opens new pedestrian bridge in NE Austin

Was this the bridge that the locals were opposing because they thought it would bring crime to their previously crime-free neighborhood?

cycling74

Member

Registered: 2008-09-28

Posts: 61

Re: Austin ISD opens new pedestrian bridge in NE Austin

Was this the bridge that the locals were opposing because they thought it would bring crime to their previously crime-free neighborhood?

Indeed this is the bridge. I spoke with a friend who lives in that neighborhood and they said not only did they oppose it because of the possible increase in crime, but people on the other side of the bridge opposed it because they preferred their kids get bussed to school instead of walk.

I predict it'll all work out, the crime won't increase and kids will enjoy walking to school. Time will tell.