Special School Zone Created In East Austin To Prevent Further Crashes From Occurring

AUSTIN, TX — Texas Department of Transportation officials on Wednesday announced three new maintenance contracts and a special school zone in Travis County. Moreover, contracts valued at more than $10.1 million were awarded in Travis, Hays, Lee and Williamson counties.

A special school zone for traffic along FM 969 near Decker Lane in East Austin was approved in an effort to enhance safety along the roadway. The decision to create the special school zone was made after crashes involving parents, children and teachers attending several private schools on the south side of FM 969, including KIPP Austin and Discovery School, had occurred, officials said.

The school zone installation should be completed by February 2017.

Elsewhere in the c0unty, devices have been installed to help keep drivers in their lane. Roadsafe Traffic Systems, Inc. won a $2.1 million contract to place reflective striping and raised pavement markers on I-35 in Travis County, officials said.

The two-year contract begins next year.

"Guardrail is also an important safety device to keep drivers from hitting fixed objects close to the pavement or from driving off the roadway," officials said. "In January, K-Bar Services, Inc. will start a two-year contract worth $5.7 million for guardrail repairs, replacement, and upgrades on I-35 in Travis, Williamson and Hays counties."

Officials also noted another project in Lee County, where Hunter Industries, Ltd. will widen, repair and seal coat FM 2239 between FM 448 and the Bastrop County line. The work will add shoulders and upgrade drainage along and across the highway. The work is expected to begin early next year and take about six months to complete.

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