The original limits for the school zone on FM 544 were from 400 feet east of Windhaven Parkway to 2,414 feet east of Windhaven Parkway. The school zone has been extended to include the intersection of FM 544 and Windhaven Parkway.
Many residents and students cross the intersection to access Killian Middle School; Independence Elementary School; and the Lewisville ISD Technology, Exploration and Career Center East campus, according to the agenda item.
City staff proposed the change to improve the safety of students walking to and from the residential neighborhoods south of FM 544 to the school. The road is hilly with limited sight distance, is 110 feet wide, has a high traffic volume and a 50-mph speed limit, which make the crosswalk unsafe for students, according to the agenda item.
The original school zone was established when Killian Middle School was constructed and before Windhaven Parkway was extended north of FM 544.
The school zone extension will also give drivers more time to slow down, which will reduce the risk of crashes, according to city staff.
