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Transit shuttle to Magnolia Table could decrease traffic problems

A new shuttle route aims to help business in Waco.

Chip and Joanna’s Magnolia Table restaurant is expected to open in a little more than a month.

The new eatery is on Valley Mills Drive and is expected to bring a lot of traffic to an already congested area.

There was discussion at a recent city council meeting to address the problem with a LaSalle Avenue Transit Route. With the limited parking spaces between Magnolia Table and Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q, the transit would allow tourists from downtown and Magnolia Market at The Silos to hop on a shuttle that would bring them from Franklin Avenue to University Parks Drive, past Baylor's campus to LaSalle heading towards Magnolia Table. Other than parking, another reason city council expressed interest in the shuttle was due to safety concerns at the traffic circle.

Larry Dagley is the owner of Circle Hardware, which is right across from Magnolia Table. He said adding a shuttle was a good idea.

"I think it’s good from a congestion point of view,” Dagley said. “It’s also good for the convenience of those who are visiting our city. If they can park in one spot and have a shuttle that’s running from downtown and Silos up to this circle, it gives them the opportunity not to be driving and looking around.”

There's another route option that would take the Interstate 35 Frontage Road to the traffic circle.

Jill Turner is the owner of the Junky Monkey. She says the shuttle would be good for businesses on LaSalle Avenue.

"Magnolia Market when it opened it, in the last few years our sales doubled," Turner explained. "So with Magnolia Table, I see that bringing a ton of business to the LaSalle area, especially with Magnolia Table being located right on the circle. "

The LaSalle Avenue Transit shuttle would be on a three month trial basis and would cost the city of Waco $82,000.

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