While driving I witnessed a woman on the side of Elrod Rd, In Katy Texas. A mother, infant in stroller and toddler in tow, was cautiously navigating Elrod Rd (The one starting at Mortan Rd and Ending at Franz Rd, 77449) on foot. With her car in the shop and her children hungry, she had no choice but to walk halfway on the road or in the ditch just to reach somewhere to grab food. As a resident, I'm troubled to say this isn't the first time I've seen this. Let alone the worst of what I've seen.

Among this, Elrod is high traffick and a long straight shot with poor lighting. Not only that, but 18 wheelers use this road commonly as there is an HEB warehouse at one end and a giant walmart on the other. We've lived here since 1999, this road once did it's job as there was only a single collection of homes while fields and farms were on all other sides of Elrod. Now, however?

IMPORTANT: Elrod Rd, flanked by neighborhoods and multiple schools, lacks sidewalks on either side, creating an unsafe environment for pedestrians. Hit-and-run incidents are not uncommon and children, some accompanied and others alone, often walk on the road or within the deep ditch to reach home from school or outings. This situation is unacceptable.

It's time for a change. I call upon our city council to put community safety first and install sidewalks along both sides of Elrod Rd. This move will not only enhance pedestrian safety but also provide a safer route for our children attending nearby schools. Many studies show that sidewalks significantly reduce pedestrian accidents (Institute of Transportation Engineers). In creating safer walkways, we invest in the safety and future of our children and our community while preventing potential tragedy.

Please stand with me in making our neighborhoods safer and our children's lives secure. Sign this petition, and let us urge our city government to build safe sidewalks on Elrod Rd in Katy, Texas!