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A new project began on Guadalupe Street.
The Guadalupe Street Improvements include the installation of a two-way bike lane, which will include a physical barrier from traffic stretching along University Drive to Grove Street. The third vehicle lane of Guadalupe Street will be removed for bike lane placement, to enhance continuity and to slow traffic going through the downtown area.
The project between the City of San Marcos Engineering and Capital Improvements Department and the Texas Department of Transportation is expected to be completed in late August.
“This joint effort between the City and TxDOT will allow us to have the striping completed with this current roadway project and not require the street to be resurfaced again during the City’s upcoming project,” said Laurie Moyer, Director of Engineering & Capital Improvements, in a statement. “We appreciate TxDOT including this work in their current project and saving us time, money and the additional inconvenience for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.”
Sidewalk improvements will be made along the east side of Guadalupe between MLK Drive and the railroad tracks, signal improvements at intersections along Guadalupe Street to accommodate cyclists, and water-quality features at the railroad tracks and MLK Drive. The City expects a loss of about four parking spaces in this area, but expects that the addition of 27 new spaces in progress on CM Allen Parkway will make up for the loss.
“The goal is to highlight downtown as a pedestrian and bike-friendly community center rather than a speedy thoroughfare,” said Moyer. “We want visitors and residents to visit downtown and enjoy restaurants, shops and the farmer’s market on Saturday morning and have the option of walking or biking in a safe and inclusive atmosphere.”
The striping portion of the Guadalupe Street Improvements will be completed in late August, however, the remainder of the project won’t begin until early 2020. Barricades will be placed in the new bike lanes until the additional construction is completed in late spring 2020, weather permitting.
