Cables on streets were to gather data for traffic planning

Those cables you may have seen stretched across some Port Aransas streets July 7-10 were part of the city's transportation planning.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) put cables across State Hwy. 361 North on Harbor Island, Cotter Avenue, Alister Street, Mustang Boulevard and State Hwy. 361 at three locations south of Avenue G to measure traffic.

Traffic data gathered will show the number and type of vehicles that passed over the dual cables , said Cliff Bost, a spokesman for TxDOT.

Specifically, TxDOT was gathering information that will be used in planning the expansion of State Hwy. 361 between Avenue G and Beach Access Road 1A. But the data can also be used for other things, such as to determine whether traffic warrants a signal at the intersection of State Hwy. 361 and Beach Access Road 1A.

Planners can also use the information when putting together the city's transportation plan, said city Planning and Projects Director David Parsons.