Austin air traffic controller focusing on safety in the sky, on the ground

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A longtime air traffic controller in Austin has worked decades keeping travelers safe in the sky, but he's also hoping to keep drivers on the ground safe. Specifically at the intersection of Burleson Road and Emma Browning Avenue.

It didn't take long for our news crew to capture the danger along Burleson Road that has Clinton Kidwell concerned, as we watched a near miss of a crash as a City of Austin vehicle tried to turn left onto Emma Browning Ave.

"It happens all the time, and that's the only way you can make a left turn right there is if you dodge traffic, or you try to time it like that," said Clinton Kidwell.

Clinton has worked as an air traffic controller off and on in Austin since 1985. While his time in aviation has taken him as far south as Antarctica, he now reports for duty on the south side of AUS.

His issue is eastbound traffic on Burleson Rd, needing to turn left to northbound Emma Browning Ave, which doesn't have a protected left turn signal.

"They're building new neighborhoods west of us, right next to the airport. They're building new neighborhoods all over 183 and so that traffic flow right now. This is 100 times more than I've ever seen," said Clinton.

I reached out to the City of Austin Transportation Department about Clinton's concerns, and they let me know they have added the intersection to potential signal projects for next year, following Clinton's report to 311. The city said every summer, they develop a signal modification work plan based on requests, internal staff research and the Vision Zero group.

"Safety. You know what I mean, protection. You know, protection of people, so people don't get hurt and killed. God forbid, an air traffic controller. They're all my friends, but definitely anybody you know. I mean, who wants that?" said Clinton.

At 70 years old, Clinton hopes his decades in aviation will leave a lasting mark on the industry and on this intersection.