Advocacy groups for people with disabilities who use wheelchairs or electric scooters completed a months-long audit of the accessibility of new crosswalks at 22 Waco Drive intersections Thursday afternoon.
Volunteers with MobiRise Waco, a nonprofit disability justice coalition, highlighted major improvements along Waco Drive, but they stressed the need for continued collaboration with local businesses to keep the sidewalk accessible.
Since February, Mobilize Waco volunteers, including people who are blind or wheelchair users, have been evaluating pedestrian signals, curb ramps and sidewalks along a five-mile stretch of Waco Drive, part of U.S. Highway 84.
The Texas Department of Transportation began a $9.9 million project in 2021 to replace traffic lights and build accessible sidewalks along Waco Street between Clifton and Lake Aire streets.
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From left, Mobilize Waco officials Meg Wallace, Brian Fraser and Toby Crosskey walk along the sidewalk at Waco Drive on Thursday during the final phase of a crosswalk audit.
Rod Aydelott, Tribune-Herald
Donna Dill, treasurer of the Mobilize Waco board, noted that the sidewalks on Waco Drive have been significantly improved and there are only a few inconveniences that can be fixed.
“We’ve had a few instances where there’s a utility pole in the middle of the sidewalk and there’s not enough space for a wheelchair,” she said. “The biggest obstacle we have is with existing sidewalks, business owners not maintaining their property – for example, they let weeds grow overgrown.”
During Thursday’s audit, Mobilize Waco organizer and director Meg Wallace and board member Toby Closkey walked with volunteer “mobilizer” Brian Fraser. They walked west along Waco Drive from 38th Street to 25th Street.
“We need local people to step up and do their part,” said Dill, who has been with Mobilize Waco since March 2022.
“If you have a business along Waco Drive or anywhere in the city of Waco and you mow your yard, sidewalk maintenance should be part of your lawn care.”
Meg Wallace takes notes as she walks with Brian Fraser (center) and Toby Croskey (left) along Waco Drive at 38th Street. Mobilize Waco has been studying the completed crosswalk for several months.
Rod Aydelott, Tribune-Herald
Dill and Wallace said the Texas Department of Transportation has worked to address ongoing feedback from MobiRise Waco, a sentiment echoed by Texas Department of Transportation Waco District spokesman Jake Smith in a statement to the Waco Tribune-Herald.
“After approaching the Waco District, MobiRise Waco is independently evaluating ADA and pedestrian features of Texas Department of Transportation construction projects,” Smith said. “Texas Department of Transportation welcomes feedback from the group to review and consider for current and future projects.”
MobiRize Waco ultimately aims to be a community designed for everyone, Croskey said.
Toby Croskey, left, with Meg Wallace, right, and Brian Fraser, center, prepare to cross the intersection of 38th Avenue and Waco Drive. Mobilize Waco has been evaluating the newly completed ramps since last year and has given TxDOT high marks for the renovation work.
Rod Aydelott, Tribune-Herald
“Our three tenets are accessibility, visibility and leadership,” said Croskey, who is visually impaired. “Obviously, we’re doing our part to make Waco a more accessible city. Visibility is getting our name out there and sharing information and working with the public to make this happen.”
“Maintaining the sidewalks requires collaboration with business owners. So it’s a two-way effort on all fronts. And then on the other hand, we’re developing the leaders to make it happen.”
Wallace said initiatives like this are a powerful push to make Waco a more accessible place for people with disabilities.
“And the reality is, in Waco, you don’t see a lot of people in wheelchairs or blind people in the community, at least that we know of, because it’s so difficult to get around,” Wallace said.
Mobilize Waco has a website, mobilizewaco.org, with details on how you can help financially or through volunteering.
Meg Wallace (left) and Brian Fraser cross 38th Street onto Waco Drive.
Rod Aydelott, Tribune-Herald
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