Title
Consider an ordinance amending Chapter 42, Section 42-106, Code of Ordinances (2010 Edition) to delete the intersection of Via Sonoma Trail and Gattis School Road from the list of intersections where right turns on red lights are prohibited. (First Reading)*
Body
Currently, the intersection of Gattis School Rd. and Via Sonoma Trl. has an ordinance that restricts the right turn movements on a steady red signal during the hours of 7am to 8:45am, and 2:30pm to 4:30pm. Right turns are prohibited on southbound Via Sonoma heading onto westbound Gattis School; likewise, westbound Gattis School heading onto northbound Via Sonoma are also prohibited. See exhibit for clarification.
In the spring of 2016, Round Rock I.S.D., along with residents of the Via Sonoma and Lake Forest neighborhoods, requested that the Round Rock Police Department(RRPD) consider removing the signs restricting the right turn movements at the corner of Gattis School Rd. and Via Sonoma Trl.
RRPD reached out to the Transportation Department for assistance with this request.
Collectively, it was decided to analyze and monitor the situation before removing the signs. Initial observations revealed that the "No Right On Red" signs were indeed causing traffic to stack up unnecessarily during school hours. This delay was due to the ordinance forcing traffic to pile up needlessly even when pedestrians were not utilizing the crosswalks. Moreover, the presence of a crossing guard, along with a fully signalized intersection, negated the need for the right turn restrictions on red.
After consulting with RRPD, it was decided that the signs limiting the restrictions would be removed before the start of the new school year, and that RRPD would monitor the intersection and report any safety concerns that should arise. The signs have been removed since mid-summer 2016, and RRPD has had no issues to report concerning the removal of the signs.
At the request of the RRISD, and the surrounding neighborhoods...
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