Scott Dukette, vice president for sales at engineering firm Klotz Associates, addresses West Lake Hills City Council on Aug. 26.[/caption]

During an Aug. 26 City Council meeting, West Lake Hills City Council members decided the city would not move forward with plans to put a roundabout at the Westlake Drive and Redbud Trail intersection.
Instead the council decided to temporarily place a police officer at the intersection to direct traffic during the peak afternoon and evening hours.

Scott Dukette, vice president for sales at civil engineering firm Klotz Associates, presented videos demonstrating the potential effects of either creating a roundabout at the intersection or creating additional lanes and installing a stoplight. He said a police officer can simulate the effect a stoplight would have, though the effect will not be significant without additional lanes.

Council Member Jim O’Connor said stationing an officer at the intersection was a low-risk, low-cost way to study the impact.

Council Member Taylor Holcomb suggested the pilot study run from the end of September through the end of October while the evenings are still light enough that the city does not have to provide additional lighting at the intersection.

Council Member Stan Graham was opposed, saying the police officer program at the intersection was delaying providing a longer-term solution to the traffic problem.

Mayor Dave Claunch said the city will seek citizen input concerning the program’s efficiency while it is in place.