Biker Down on Knickerbocker Road

I contacted Karen Threlkeld with TXDOT to look into putting a traffic light here at Red Bluff and Knickerbocker back in March of 2015, she told me to contact Russell Phel with the City of San Angelo because she said it was not a TXDOT intersection. Russell emailed me back saying he would look into the matter; I have emailed both of them several times since and no response. Please fellow San Angelo residents, if you know how to get this done, do send me the info so that I can make this happen; I need your help! I have been here in this location for 5 years and the enormous amount of complaints that I hear all the time about the intersection would blow your mind. My employees, myself and my children have almost been in several wrecks because of this intersection. It is so hard to get out sometimes; it is a very dangerous intersection with the speed limit being 55mph. This would make the intersection safer, alleviate the Lake residents, customers for Eskimo Hut at the Lake (my store), Packsaddle, Three Rivers, Red Bluff Storages, the church Glen Meadows (they have traffic issues every Sunday - hiring SAPD for traffic control) and the Twin Mountain intersection would benefit from adding a light as well. This would also be beneficial for all the summer events at the Lake. Prayers for the injured man.

Getting the city to install a new traffic signal is difficult and nearly impossible. Signals have a one time cost for the purchase and installation which then results in continuing cost for maintenance and operation. The city is more than willing for any business to purchase, and probably cover cost of installation, for new signals. This can be seen by the signals for Rosa's and Walmart locations. You might do a cost analysis with the church to see if they have an interest in installing a light at the intersection of Knickerbocker with Red Bluff and/or Twin Mountain.

Another consideration required for installation of traffic signals is the traffic count. TxDot or the City Manager should be able to help with obtaining that information. Finally, you will have to convince the City Council of the need and have them approve the installation. That is not easy.

To give you some idea of the difficulty involved let me tell you about another location. The intersection of Abe and First as well as the intersection of Koenigheim and First both more than meet the traffic count to justify traffic signals. Several years ago Abe and First was in the top ten accident sites in the city. Central High School students cross the intersection daily during the school year. The fire department crosses both intersections. Despite support from some council members it was never possible to obtain a majority vote. Various reasons were given but none addressed the improved safety. The cost of new signals and the signals would be too close to the existing signals at Harris Ave were reasons used. The proximity of other signals is easily overcome by having the signals synchronized to allow good traffic flow. These intersections would be much safer with signals but don't hold your breath.

In summary get a traffic count to see if a signal is justified, request accident records for the intersection, see if any business is interested in footing the cost of purchase and installation, and finally, contact your council representative as well as other council representatives to support your request. Good luck.