Resident worried after increase in pedestrian crashes
HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) — Williamson County population growth is showing no signs of slowing down, and KXAN noticed increased complaints from viewers about traffic and crashes involving pedestrians.
KXAN Traffic Anchor Erica Brennes dug into the data and found a steep rise in crashes in one rapidly growing Central Texas area.
It was hard to imagine when State Highway 130 opened more than a decade ago that one day there would be morning and evening rush hour on the expansive toll road. But that's the new reality for people driving through Hutto and Pflugerville.
"I work in downtown (Austin), and I'm more frustrated driving around Pflugerville and Hutto than I am on I-35 if that tells you anything, I get more anxiety. I'm yelling more. I'm cussing more getting out of my neighborhood than I am getting on I-35 with UT students," Kasey Lira, who lives in the area, said.
Lira is one of multiple KXAN viewers who sent ReportIt tips saying they're worried about an increase in pedestrian crashes on this stretch of road.
"We need to fix it now. It's not a long-term thing. It's a 'what can we do now issue?'" Lira said.
City of Hutto data showed a rise in pedestrian crashes.
In 2022, there was one crash involving a pedestrian. In 2023, no pedestrian crashes were reported in the city. In 2024, there have been seven crashes, data shows.
"We have been begging for sidewalks. We've been begging for a better way. If you're going to approve more housing, more apartments, more neighborhoods, you need a way for people to get around. They keep telling us, oh, it's, you know, it's in the plans, eventually we'll get there. We'll get there, but you're adding more vehicles, which is then more dangerous for those who are walking," Lira said.
Williamson County officials said there are sidewalks along Wilco Highway from County Road 137 to County Road 138, but the portion of Wilco Highway where Lira lives from CR 138 to SH 130 does not have a sidewalk. Sidewalk construction on that portion of the road is slated to begin in 2026.
"We need a temporary solution while they are working on the rest of the phases for this neighborhood," Lira said.
The sidewalk project is one of 38 projects approved by Williamson County voters during the 2023 road bonds election, worth $825 million.