By Michelle Stecker, Contributing Writer

The West Lake Hills City Council voted unanimously to approve a paved walking trail on the west side of Reveille Road Wednesday, concluding several months of discussion at prior meetings about the safety and necessity of project.

“This is the city’s first foray into more walkways in West Lake Hills,” said Mayor David Claunch.

The designated path will begin near The Forum Shopping Center and extend to the end of the Reveille Road where it intersects with Rocky River Road, approximately four-tenths of a mile in length.

This trail will be immediately adjacent to the west side of the road and will also be at the same level as the roadway.  The concrete will be a lighter color than the pavement to define the pedestrian right of way, said Councilwoman Cindy Probst. A broad yellow band of paint will separate the trail from the street “no parking” will be stenciled into the stripe.

“It is one of the few roads we have in the city where residents can walk to commercial areas,” said City Councilman Davin Fillpot.

Reveille Road is a long, straight street and is a cut-through route for east and northbound traffic from West Lake Hills, Claunch said, pointing out this leads to concerns for pedestrians walking alongside traffic lanes.

“It’s the speed that’s the issue,” said Jay Stern, longtime resident living on Reveille Road, where there are approximately 22 homes. “I think this project is totally misguided.”

This project has been on the agenda of the council several times over the last couple of years, and the council has polled Reveille Road area residents twice by mail about this proposed pathway and each time results favored the paved trail.

A final letter was sent out at the end of last month to solicit any last minute concerns about the project.

Only Stern appeared to address the walkway at Wednesday’s council session. 

“I am surprised that no one else has showed up tonight,” he said.

Construction will begin late this fall, and it will have a council stipulated budget not to exceed $68,000.

“I would like to see us do more of this,” City Councilman Andrew Schwartz  said.