Through the Comprehensive Plan of 2007 (updated in 2009), the City of Smithville will seek additional public input designed to improve transportation connections in and around town, as well as better links to regional destinations. Through the planning process citizens and city officials address important issues like safety, system connections, and congestion. The resulting reports and final Plan are designed to enable city officials to seek funding when it becomes available. Without a Plan in place, it will be virtually impossible to secure necessary funds from county, regional, state, or federal agencies. With a Plan, the City is in a much better position to meet the criteria required to make a competitive application for needed funds. Like the Comprehensive Plan, the projects identified in this round of public input will be subject to review and modification as time passes. Connectivity projects include: • Safe Routes to School (a Texas Department of Transportation Grant Program), • Pedestrian paths and sidewalks, • Bike and hike trails, • Road improvements in town, • Safer connections across the railroad property, • The Capital Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS), • Public input in the Bastrop County Transportation Plan, • Virtual offices and a downtown telecommuting center, and so on. Several workshops, town hall meetings, and other opportunities for public involvement will be scheduled in the upcoming months and years. Please keep checking this website for upcoming events and opportunities to voice your opinions on this important topic!
The Smithville city limits are mainly within about two square miles, making it a great place for many people to be able to walk or bike to get nearly anywhere they want to go. However, our lack of safe spaces (a limited sidewalk network and narrow streets) make it less likely for people to feel comfortable doing so. The Smithville Safe Routes to School (SSRTS) Plan is one component of a larger "connectivity initiative" that will help improve our community's ability to best take advantage of our historic neighborhoods, beautiful parks, public buildings, and diverse marketplace. The SSRTS Plan will help us to make corridors safe for students to walk and bike to school, and provides other means by which to encourage our children to build in healthy habits now. The partnership that has developed between the Smithville Independent School District and the City of Smithville through the initial planning phases promises swift progress. While we are hoping that this Plan will bring funding through the Texas Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School program, the momentum that has gathered around this project will not be stopped... With a plan, it is possible to seek funding from many sources but without a plan, not much can move forward. The SSRTS Plan is a truly wonderful starting point. Like all planning processes, this document is not the end of the story. Your input and ideas are always welcome about this important subject. We will have regular Town Hall meetings and other "formal" ways to participate, but you may send emails, post comments on blogs, call, write, or otherwise contact Jill Strube with any of your suggestions or comments at any time. Thanks to the Smithville Safe Routes to School Stakeholder Team and the many other Smithvillians who have contributed to this project. And thanks to you for your interest and participation! Please check frequently on our Comprehensive Plan pages for updates on other community-driven improvement projects.
Have you ever seen a car come too close to a child walking or biking to school? Have you ever seen a car open a door to let a child out and another car come along too fast? Let us know about the moments you've gasped and been grateful that no one was hurt. Please be sure to include the date and location of this near accident.
The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) conducted a sidewalk inventory this summer. The "Sidewalk Inventory" map shows where their survey found sidewalks, and shows a blue 1/4 mile radius buffer around the schools (generally considered walking distance). We would like you to let us know if they missed any during their survey and we'd like to know what your opinion is of the condition of the sidewalks. We will use this information very generally, but also specifically with regards to the Smithville Safe Routes to School program. Please take a look at the map, and tell us what you think we need to change about it or add to it. Thank you for your help!
The Smithville Independent School District and the City of Smithville are seeking funds to improve the safety and accessibility for our children around the schools in our community. We want your opinions and input about the transportation issues and options for the school-aged children in your care.
You may have heard about our development of a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Plan. In order to provide safer and more accessible walking and bicycling conditions for our students, including physically challenged students, we are working with as many community members as possible to identify ideas for both educational opportunities (student, parent and community education, etc.) and physical improvements (sidewalks, crosswalks, traffic signals, etc.).
It is vital that we receive as much input and feedback as we can so that we will have a clear view of the improvements needed to make our community safe and accessible. Your participation in this undertaking is essential and your opinions are greatly valued.
We are asking for as many caregivers and interested community members as possible to take this survey. Click here to take the survey online or email us or call the number below to request a paper copy that you can return to the school your child attends, the Smithville Public Library, the Recreation Center, or City Hall. Only one survey per household, please.
Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns about this program and/or the survey, or if you would like to continue to participate in the Safe Routes to School planning process.
Thank you for your assistance. Jill Strube 512 237 3282 x 2109