(Seguin) — Local officials are making it safer for kids at Vogel Elementary School to get to and from school.
After receiving requests from State Representative Alan Schoolcraft and from city of Seguin and Seguin ISD officials, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is moving forward with plans to lower the speed limit in the school zone along FM 725.
In fact, drivers this week should already be noticing the changes of those school zone speed limit signs dropping from 35 to 25 miles per hour.
Assistant City Manager Melissa Reynolds says the city’s ordinance also impacts speed limits outside the school zone to better protect the hundreds of people who now live in the area.
“If you are not aware, FM 725 does have some higher speed limits than is desired — given some of the residents in that area and the school, Vogel Elementary that’s right there. So, we did request and were granted a speed study by TxDOT and they have passed a reduction in speed, that requires a city ordinance update. They’ve already passed it through their board. So, we needed to do our part in order to get this implemented. That’s all you have before you tonight is to reduce those areas of 55 (mph) between 123 and Desert Willow…down to 40,” said Reynolds.
Farm-to-Market roads are owned maintained by the state, but because this stretch of FM 725 is located within the Seguin city limits, the new speed limits must also be adopted by the city. The Seguin City Council recently approved the ordinance on first reading last week. Final approval is expected this Tuesday, October 20.
When Vogel Elementary School was built decades ago, it was in a fairly rural area on the edge of town. That’s no longer the case.
Hundreds of homes have since been built across the street from the school as part of the Arroyo Ranch subdivision. That growth has brought more traffic to FM 725, along with students who now walk to and from school.