After NOLA attack, congressman discusses bollard protections

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Two days after the deadly terror attack in New Orleans, the national conversation has turned to a topic KXAN has investigated for nearly a year: vehicle safety barriers and how effective they can be, when used, at stopping speeding vehicles.

"One of the issues, Matt, that you've done such a good job of raising is the whole question of safety bollards," Texas Congressman Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, told KXAN investigative reporter Matt Grant.

Doggett is calling for more bollards -- at federal and private buildings -- amid renewed security concerns and questions over the effectiveness of a 2021 federal measure meant, in part, to fund safety barriers "to prevent pedestrian injuries and acts of terrorism" for state departments of transportation and local governments. Under the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act, Congress authorized $25 million over five years for state and local grants for bollards to protect pedestrians -- but it was never actually funded since the program was subject to discretionary annual appropriations, Doggett's office confirmed.

"Is this something you think should be revisited and looked at again to make sure it's being funded and cities that want this money have access to it?," asked Grant.

"I think the issue of safety, and the need for barriers to protect pedestrians is serious enough, that we should revisit the act and the issue and see if there are other things that can be done," Doggett said.

Renewed calls for federal bollard review

Citing "growing security concerns" since June of last year, Doggett has called on the General Services Administration -- which oversees federal facilities -- to conduct an expedited review of all federally owned and leased buildings in the southwestern U.S., including New Orleans, to see if bollards should be installed.

It's a response to the Feb. 13, 2024 deadly crash at St. David's North Austin Medical Center, and our reporting, which revealed more than 400 similar incidents at medical facilities across the country over the past decade.

As recently as Dec. 27, Doggett again renewed that request citing KXAN's "extensive work to uncover the magnitude of this issue."

"Given the increased number of deaths and injuries from a lack of safety bollards, GSA should act promptly rather than awaiting its periodic reviews," Doggett wrote.

In his letter, he cited an incident days before Christmas when a man running from police drove into a mall in Killeen, injuring at least five people. The driver was shot and killed by law enforcement.

"One of them was a little girl," a witness said. "I don't know if she got hit but when I saw her there was blood running down her face."

Doggett plans to send a fifth letter to the GSA referencing the New Orleans attack.

"We can confirm that we have received Rep. Doggett's letter...and we are reviewing its content and working on a response to this important matter," a GSA spokesperson said Friday. "At this time, we do not have any additional comments to share, but we will provide an update once we have more information."

The GSA has so far not committed to an expedited building review.

Doggett cited three of 10 government buildings in Austin KXAN previously visited and found potential vulnerabilities -- including a Social Security Administration building and an IRS office.

“GSA has been in contact with Rep. Doggett, and shares his concerns regarding the safety of employees and visitors at facilities under GSA’s custody or control,” a GSA spokesperson told KXAN in November. “GSA has a thorough review process to assess whether a facility requires bollards or other security measures and continually reassesses its facilities to address evolving risks. For security reasons, GSA cannot disclose the specific details of this review process.”

“While it is difficult to eliminate all potential risks, including those posed by vehicles, GSA-owned and leased facilities incorporate countermeasures, building design features, or natural barriers to help mitigate these risks,” a GSA spokesperson previously added.

'Invest so local communities can be protected'

The co-founder of the nonprofit Storefront Safety Council, Rob Reiter, has tracked 30,000 vehicle-into-building crashes over the past decade. He said cities need to invest in safety -- especially in places that attract large crowds.

"The federal government is just getting to the point where it's going to start thinking: How do we invest so local communities can be protected?," Reiter said.

A decade ago, four people died in downtown Austin when a man drove into a crowd during the South By Southwest (SXSW) festival. The driver was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Austin City Council Member Zo Qadri is now looking into a downtown bollard requirement following our investigation -- something he previously called "simple and effective commonsense measures that save lives."

"The tragedy in New Orleans underscores the need for our City to remain dedicated to safe streets and public spaces," Qadri said in a statement. "Whether you're a local patron on 6th Street or visiting from abroad for SXSW, City Council and Departments like the Austin Police Department, Transportation and Public Works, and Homeland Security and Emergency Management are constantly evaluating our policies and procedures to keep you safe."

"I'm committed to exploring with staff enhanced safety treatments for major street closures downtown," Qadri added, "along with anything applicable to our City that investigations in New Orleans may reveal."

On Oct. 28, Qadri's staff contacted Reiter for input into an entertainment district bollard requirement saying: "There have been quite a few incidents of pedestrians being hit within this area, especially during large scale events."

"Anybody that has a venue like that that hasn't had a serious incident has either been planning and executing well," Reiter said referring to public spaces that attract large crowds, "or they've just been lucky."

Austin's Transportation and Public Works Department confirmed crash-rated bollards are being considered for the Congress Avenue redesign project.

"The Transportation and Public Works (TPW) Department recently wrapped up a community conversation about a proposed first phase of the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative (CAUDI)," an agency spokesperson said. "TPW staff are still exploring options for the redesign of Congress Avenue, which may include the use of bollards that meet the appropriate crash rating for a street closure."

A report is expected to come out in the coming weeks, and be posted on the city's website, reflecting all public feedback on the project. Last month, the city council passed an ordinance requiring crash-bollards at new hospitals, urgent care clinics, stand alone emergency rooms and existing facilities that expand in the future. The Austin Planning Commission expressed interest in expanding the ordinance "more broadly" to cover a range of locations, not just hospitals. That was supported by several council members, including Qadri.

Last month, State Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, filed a bill that would require crash-rated bollards at most Texas hospitals.

Doggett remembers the SXSW incident, which occurred in his hometown. He thinks Austin should consider installing bollards downtown.

"I would think the city needs to look closely at what happened in New Orleans," Doggett said. "To ensure we never have something like that happen in Austin."