Drivers still miss signs near tracks

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Just more than a month has passed since the City of Austin made improvements to what some have called dangerous intersection near Capital Metro's Red Line track.

No one has formally complained to the Transportation Department about the intersection since the improvements, said city engineers. But based on observation Thursday, city engineers may still have more work to do.

KXAN Austin News counted at least six cars ignoring no-right-turn signs on Clarkson Avenue near 51st street.

"There are always drivers that will ignore signs," said Austin Transportation Engineer Peter Marsh.

Marsh said the improvements have helped some drivers stay away from the train tracks.

But for others, the signs are not working.

"I still see 'em lined up," said Jesse Greenstone, a passerby. "Almost every day."

Maybe there's just too much distraction, to ignore the bright orange flags, the bright yellow signs, the clearly marked warnings.

"I don't know how to explain the people that drive here in Austin," said Greenstone.

City engineers say drivers are still safe from trains.

Signal preemption technology will cause the gates to go down only after all the cars have cleared.

"We feel its safe now," said Marsh. "If there are more things to do to make it absolutely safe we'll do those."

Marsh said city engineers will conduct a study to install more traffic signals at the intersection.

He said that should take place within the next six weeks.