Teen's death ignites sidewalk safety

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A teenager's death has led to new calls for safety improvements on an East Austin road.

On Sunday, 13-year-old Pete Valdez was hit and killed while riding his bicycle on Decker Lane.

Jessie Cantu, the teen's brother, is speaking out asking for change.

"We need sidewalks out here, we need lights out here, people's lives are at risk, " Cantu said.

People who live in the community, with increased traffic and few options for pedestrians, said it's the outcome they were afraid of.

Steven Manilla, of Travis County Transportation and Natural Resources Department, said they are listening to people's concerns.

"Our county roads weren't designed to handle the type of traffic that this development brings to the unincorporated areas," Manilla said.

Decker Lane is a state highway, which falls under the Texas Department of Transportation's responsibility.

But the highway goes through city and county lands -- that's why all three agencies are looking into working together to find a safer solution to people.

"TxDOT said they would consider any proposal we come up with, so we have been communicating with the city of Austin now to find out from them what can they do," Manilla said.

The city said it has a large number of high priority projects and doesn't see any funding solutions for Decker Lane anytime soon.

The three agencies expect the project to cost anywhere from $1.2 million up to $1.5 million.

The sidewalk project on Decker Lane would be 9,000 feet, stretching from  Loyola Lane to Daffan Lane.

One section calls for a pedestrian bridge which alone, could cost $100,000 to $200,000.

Safety is No. 1, but with an entire city and county to cover, deciding on projects is tough.

"There is no way we can fix everything at once so we inventory, prioritize and then we seek funding," Manilla said.

That is why agencies may have to look for grants or unallocated bonds to get the Decker Lane project moving forward.