City OKs Hamilton Street Speed Humps As Hospital Nears Completion

City officials approved a plan designed to slow traffic and improve pedestrian safety along Hamilton Street as the anticipated opening of the new Olney Hamilton Hospital approaches this fall.

OHH Board President Dale Lovett appeared before the Olney City Council on June 8 seeking approval to install a series of removable speed humps on West Hamilton Street adjacent to the new hospital.

“Our priority at the hospital is to provide safe foot traffic between the south side and north side of Hamilton Street,” Lovett told council members. Parts of South Avenue L and West Hamilton Street have been closed for more than a year for construction, which rerouted traffic to and from Olney Independent School District campuses..

Mr. Lovett said the proposal grew out of the need to plan traffic flow after West Hamilton Street reopens.

Under the plan, larger speed humps would be installed near the east and west ends of the hospital, while smaller humps would be placed near a physician and provider entrance. The design would allow vehicles entering hospital parking lots to do so without crossing the humps while slowing motorists who continue through the area.

The rubber speed humps are removable, and public works crews could unbolt them without damaging the roadway, he said. City Administrator Andy Wolff told the council that the city’s insurance provider, Texas Municipal League, generally discourages traditional speed bumps because municipalities can be held liable for roadway obstructions that contribute to vehicle damage or personal injury. He cited an example from another city where a pedestrian was injured after rolling an ankle on a speed bump.

Speed humps, however, are considered a safer alternative because they extend across the full width of the roadway and create a more gradual rise for vehicles.

“Speed humps are a great alternative to this, and TML does back these as long as they’re full width,” Mr. Wolff said.

Hospital officials also plan to install signage, lighting, and clearly marked pedestrian crossings to make the area more visible for motorists. Mr. Lovett noted that similar speed humps have been installed at two recently built high schools in Wichita Falls.

Council members also discussed the unique traffic challenges around the site, which sits adjacent to school pickup and drop-off routes. City Attorney Dan Branum noted that school traffic patterns have evolved repeatedly in recent years and could change again once West Hamilton Street reopens after construction.

Mr. Lovett said hospital officials had already consulted with school administrators, who supported efforts to reduce vehicle speeds in the area.

The council unanimously approved the hospital district’s request to install the speed humps as presented. The hospital district will pay for the devices as part of the broader paving and site-improvement work now underway around the new facility.