Bryan voters largely approved a city charter amendment calling for the removal of medians along Texas Avenue, but changes to the state-controlled roadway will still require coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation, according to the city of Bryan.
As previously reported by Community Impact, Bryan residents submitted a petition to city council in August to remove the TxDOT-installed medians. The petition received nearly 2,500 valid signatures, allowing it to be placed on Bryan ballots.
The measure would remove medians from Rosemary Drive to Texas Avenue and roughly 600 feet south of Hwy. 21, according to ballot language. TxDOT installed the medians in 2021 to improve driver safety and reduce congestion.
The vote
The amendment received 20,007 votes in favor, or 78.42%, compared with 5,507 votes against, or 21.58%, according to results from the Nov. 3 election.
What it means
According to a news release from the city, the results remain unofficial until Bryan City Council canvasses them at its Nov. 17 meeting, in compliance with state law.
Once certified, the amendment will be added to the city charter. However, Texas Avenue is controlled by TxDOT and the city said any changes to the road remain subject to its authority.
In a statement following the election, the city said the results give it a directive from voters to present to TxDOT as discussions about the medians continue.
Bryan City Council consulted an external legal contractor in October regarding the legality of the removal and whether the city had authority to remove the medians. Alan Bojorquez of the Bojorquez Law Firm said the city likely lacks that authority.
“Should the amendment pass, for the City to satisfy the amendment, TxDOT would need to be persuaded to agree to convey authority to the City via an agreement,” Bojorquez said in a statement. “If the amendment passes, the City may be put in the position of seeking guidance from either a court or the Attorney General.”
What the city is doing
The city said it has been in conversations with TxDOT for several years about concerns raised by residents and business owners since the medians were installed. Those concerns have included:
Emergency response capabilities
Limited access to businesses
Difficult travel routes
Potential damage to side streets
The city also said it identified several potential improvements ahead of the Nov. 3 vote to discuss with TxDOT, including:
Removing a section of median at Garden Acres Boulevard and Brookside Drive and adding a traffic signal
Evaluating potential changes at other locations along Texas Avenue
Seeking funding to install expanded paved areas that provide additional space for U-turns at intersections
Discussions with TxDOT are expected to continue with renewed emphasis following the election.
What's next
Although voters approved the charter amendment, the city said it may need written consent from TxDOT or an agreement delegating control of the medians to Bryan before it can enforce their removal. The amendment may also require legal review.
The city estimated removing the medians would cost about $8 million. It said it will work to identify a funding source and keep residents informed as discussions with TxDOT continue.
