Burnet pedestrian bridge meeting May 29

The city of Burnet has big plans for a pedestrian bridge over U.S. 281, possibly near the middle and high schools, and leaders want to hear from residents before moving forward on the project. A public meeting for community input is Thursday, May 29, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Burnet City Council Chambers, 2402 U.S. 281 South.

According to a city media release, the city acquired a $5 million federal Community Project Funding Grant for the bridge project in 2024 with the help of U.S. Rep. John Carter. The bridge could take years to complete, but before its design or any work can begin, a location is needed.

“We know a general area, and we’ve been studying this issue, but there might be something we don’t know, so we definitely want to hear from our residents,” Assistant City Manager Keith McBurnett told DailyTrib.com.

The city is eyeing a site between Third and Seventh streets north of downtown and close to Burnet middle and high schools. The bridge would be fully ADA-compliant, designed to match the aesthetics of city architecture, and provide safe crossing of the highway for students and area residents.

“We’ve just had too many close calls (in that area),” McBurnett said. “We submitted several infrastructure projects (for the grant), but I think it was the safety concerns that brought (the bridge) to the top of the list.”

Burnet Police Chief Brian Lee agrees the bridge is a worthwhile project.

“We had a student hit there, two years ago, just past The Green Mile (where the high school is located),” Lee said. “As far as I’m concerned, (the bridge is) a good thing. It’s going to provide a safe path. Even outside of school times, it’s a fast area in town, and we do have pedestrians who cross there.”

That stretch of U.S. 281 has a speed limit of 50 mph and is lined by homes on both sides.

dakota@thepicayune.com