New safety improvements light up Pearson Ranch Road

Months of collaboration between several local government entities has borne fruit in the form of new traffic and pedestrian safety improvements along Pearson Ranch Road in District 6. A new pedestrian-activated crosswalk at Pearson Ranch Middle School, a traffic signal at Pearson Ranch Road and Avery Ranch Boulevard, and a new fence at Pickaxe Trail to discourage people from crossing where it’s unsafe will help smooth the way for students traveling to and from three District 6 schools as well as pedestrians and commuters in the Pearson and Avery Ranch areas. According to a press release, “These highly anticipated improvements came after months of audits, studies, public input and inter-local collaboration” by the city of Austin, Williamson County and Round Rock Independent School District. As D6 Council Member Jimmy Flannigan said in the release, “Job one is to protect the safety of our citizens regardless of government jurisdiction. I’m so proud to work with Commissioner (Terry) Cook on a collaborative relationship between the city of Austin and Williamson County.” Part of Pearson Ranch Road runs along the Northwest Austin city limits.