COMMERCE - The Student Government Association of Texas A&M University-Commerce is working with the city to improve safety conditions at crosswalks along Highway 50.
SGA recently passed a measure in support of three additional crosswalks at the intersection of Highway 50 and Loop 178 (Culver St.), plus another in support of more lighting at the crosswalk at Gee Lake.
SGA Campus Safety and Security Chairman Coby Marcum presented the organization's proposal to the City Council on Tuesday.
"Students should have the ability, as well as residents of Commerce, to cross the highway - whether they're going to Wal-Mart or Lone Star Eatery - in a safe fashion. So we want to be able to provide them with the resources they need to get from point A to point B safely," Marcum said.
Council agreed to have a representative from the city, as well as Police Chief Kerry Crews, join SGA members in a future meeting with TxDot, since both crosswalks are on a state highway.
"We can take a look at the practicality of doing this and what we need to do budget wise and also if we need to modify any of the current traffic lights or anything like that. Working with the engineer will give us a better idea of what TxDot's expectations are."
Marcum noted that adding additional crosswalks at Highway 50 and Loop 178 could help attract businesses for the 7.5 acre tract near the intersection that was recently sold by the university for development.
Within the past two years, TxDot has added rumble strips ahead of crosswalks and A&M-Commerce has installed flashing lights for students to activate before they walk across the street in an effort to better alert motorists.