Williamson County Launches Countywide School Crosswalk Safety Study to Protect Students Walking and Biking to School

For families across Williamson County, the trip to school is part of the daily routine. Whether children walk through their neighborhoods, ride their bikes or cross busy roads near campus, parents want to know they can get to school and back home safely. With more vehicles traveling local roads as communities grow, Williamson County is taking a closer look at how to make those everyday trips safer.

The Williamson County Commissioners Court has directed County Engineer Adam Boatright to conduct a countywide school crosswalk safety study, examining pedestrian crossings along county-maintained roads and identifying locations where improvements may be needed.

The initiative could eventually lead to upgraded school crossings, additional pedestrian safety measures and new opportunities to secure state and federal funding for roadway improvements. For residents in growing communities such as Georgetown, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander and Hutto, the study represents another step toward addressing traffic safety concerns as the county's population and transportation needs continue to change.

Why Williamson County Is Studying School Crosswalk Safety

The Williamson County Commissioners Court authorized the study during its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, in response to growing concerns about student pedestrian safety, increasing traffic volumes and distracted driving.

The study will specifically evaluate school crosswalks located on county-maintained roadways, rather than every school crossing within city limits or on state-maintained highways.

County Judge Steve Snell emphasized the importance of keeping children safe as residential development and traffic continue to increase.

“As Williamson County continues to grow, ensuring the safety of our children who walk and bike to school remains a top priority,” Snell said. “Rising traffic volumes and concerns over distracted driving make safer crossings essential for students and families across the county. This study will help us identify areas on county roads that need improvements that will protect our children and support safer routes to schools.”

For parents whose children walk or bike to school, crosswalk visibility, vehicle speeds and driver awareness can make a significant difference during busy morning drop-off and afternoon dismissal periods.

The countywide review is intended to help officials better understand where safety improvements may be warranted before determining which projects should move forward.

How the School Crosswalk Safety Study Will Work

County Engineer Adam Boatright will oversee the evaluation in coordination with local school districts and regional transportation partners throughout Williamson County.

The study will examine school crosswalk safety needs along roads maintained by the county and identify potential projects that could improve conditions for students traveling to and from school.

While the county has not announced a list of specific crossings to be evaluated or detailed which improvements may ultimately be recommended, the findings are expected to help guide future transportation safety planning.

That distinction matters for families hoping to see changes near their schools. The study itself does not authorize construction or guarantee upgrades at individual crossings. Instead, it will provide information county officials can use to identify potential improvements and pursue funding.

The review is also expected to strengthen Williamson County's ability to compete for state and federal transportation safety grants, potentially reducing the amount of local tax revenue needed to pay for future projects.

Williamson County Already Secured $20 Million for Roadway Safety Improvements

The school crosswalk study builds on a broader effort to improve traffic and pedestrian safety throughout Williamson County.

In 2025, the county received $20 million in federal funding through the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program, a federal initiative supporting projects designed to reduce roadway deaths and serious injuries.

That funding will support a series of transportation safety improvements across high-priority corridors in Williamson County.

Planned improvements include:

• 3,648 retroreflective signal backplates at 238 intersections to improve traffic signal visibility.

• 75 rectangular rapid flashing beacons to help alert motorists to pedestrians at designated crossings.

• 32 speed feedback signs that display approaching vehicles' speeds.

• Raised medians and improved roadway lighting.

• Access management and intersection improvements.

• Sidewalk upgrades and ramp reversal projects.

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These improvements are intended to address multiple roadway safety concerns, including visibility, pedestrian access and vehicle speeds.

For residents unfamiliar with rectangular rapid flashing beacons, these pedestrian-activated devices use flashing lights to alert approaching drivers when someone is preparing to cross or is crossing a roadway. They are commonly used at pedestrian crossings where additional visibility is needed.

Retroreflective signal backplates, meanwhile, improve the visibility of traffic signals by adding reflective borders around signal heads, particularly in low-light conditions.

Although these projects are part of Williamson County's existing transportation safety program, the newly authorized school crosswalk study is a separate effort to identify additional needs specifically involving students and school crossings.

Additional Federal Funding Could Help Improve School Crossings

Williamson County also applied for additional Safe Streets and Roads for All federal grant funding in 2026, specifically targeting school crosswalk safety improvements.

The application represents another opportunity for the county to secure outside funding for pedestrian safety projects, although an additional grant award has not been announced.

Federal transportation grants can help local governments undertake roadway improvements without relying entirely on local funding sources.

For Williamson County taxpayers, that funding strategy is particularly relevant as the county balances transportation infrastructure needs with continued residential and commercial growth.

The new crosswalk safety study could help strengthen future funding requests by documenting where improvements are needed and identifying potential projects that meet grant program requirements.

What the School Crosswalk Study Means for Williamson County Families

For families living in Williamson County, the most important question may be what changes they could eventually see near their children's schools.

The answer will depend on the findings of the study, which is expected to identify potential safety projects rather than immediately result in construction.

School crosswalk improvements can play an important role in helping children travel safely, particularly in areas where traffic volumes have increased alongside new neighborhoods, schools and commercial development.

The study also provides an opportunity for county transportation officials to work with school districts and regional partners on concerns that may extend beyond a single campus or neighborhood.

For parents, school administrators and residents who regularly encounter busy school crossings, the review is a development worth following. It could help determine which county-maintained crossings receive closer attention as future safety projects are considered.

When Will the Williamson County School Crosswalk Study Be Completed?

Williamson County anticipates completing the countywide school crosswalk safety study in summer 2027.

Once completed, the findings are expected to identify potential improvements and help inform future transportation safety projects and funding decisions.

The county has not announced a construction schedule, a final list of project locations or an estimated cost for improvements that may be recommended.

In the meantime, families can continue helping children practice safe walking and biking habits, including using designated crosswalks, making eye contact with drivers before crossing when possible and remaining alert around moving vehicles. Motorists can also help by slowing down near schools, watching for pedestrians and avoiding distractions behind the wheel.

As Williamson County continues to grow, maintaining safe routes to school will remain an important part of the conversation about transportation, neighborhood development and quality of life.

For the families who rely on those routes every school day, the study is an early step toward understanding where improvements may make the greatest difference.

Residents can follow future announcements through the Williamson County official website.

Stay connected with My Neighborhood News for updates on the Williamson County school crosswalk safety study, local transportation projects, school safety initiatives and other developments affecting families across Central Texas.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.