More than 80 Wooldridge Elementary students joined Austin Public Works Safe Routes to School Program and Safe Kids Austin in celebrating Walk to School Day!

This year’s event showcased the major improvements made near Wooldridge Elementary constructed by Austin Public Works and Austin Transportation Departments. Students walked to Wooldridge from Navarro Early College High School, through new intersection improvements, pedestrian crossing islands, and along repaired sidewalks on their route. 

"In creating safe routes for students to walk or bike to Wooldridge Elementary, we have improved the quality of life for all residents of Quail Creek,” said Council Member José “Chito” Vela, who attended the Walk to School Day event this Wednesday. “These amenities expand access to parks, schools, and create safe places to walk within an underserved community, enabling residents to live a healthier and more vibrant lifestyle.”

Since September 2021, crews have worked to build new and repair existing sidewalks, construct curb extensions and a raised crosswalk, add pedestrian crossing islands, and create intersection improvements within two miles of Wooldridge Elementary, Navarro High School, and the Settlement Home for Children. These projects have also incorporated extensive drainage work and rain gardens to absorb and filter stormwater runoff from the road and nearby roofs, sidewalks, and driveways.

The improvements will cost an estimated $3.29 million and are funded through several sources, including voter-approved Austin Mobility Bonds. The projects address mobility and safety needs identified in Austin's Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Reports and the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan and will improve comfort and safety for all street users in the area, especially people walking to school and neighborhood destinations.   

Upon completion, projects will result in:

• Approximately 1.4 mile of new sidewalk
• Approximately 1.2 miles of repaired sidewalk 
• 14 pedestrian crossing improvements 
• Two intersection improvements at: Payton Gin Road, Ohlen Road, and Briardale Drive. and Payton Gin Road and Parkfield Drive. 

All projects east of US 183 are now complete, and projects west of US 183 are currently underway.

Walk to School Day is an annual nationwide celebration to encourage physical activity among children. Students, parents, school staff, and community members at over 40 schools in Austin joined together for a morning walk to school. The community’s presence on the streets showcases the importance of creating calm, safe routes to school for students to walk and bicycle. Plus, students who safely walk to school are more likely to arrive at school ready to learn!

• View photos of Walk to School Day at Wooldridge Elementary.
• View Austin Transportation's video of the Payton Gin and Ohlen road intersection improvements, as well as a photo album of the intersection transformation. 

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