New Safety Improvements Coming to N. Lamar Blvd. After Death of Muslim Religious Leader

Pedestrian hybrid beacons and sidewalk upgrades aim to improve safety on busy Austin corridor

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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New pedestrian safety improvements are coming to North Lamar Boulevard near Braker Lane in Austin, Texas. This follows the death of a Muslim religious leader who was killed in the area last year. The improvements include the installation of pedestrian hybrid beacons and the rebuilding of sidewalks to create 8-to-10 foot shared-use paths on both sides of the road.

Why it matters

The North Lamar Boulevard corridor has seen a number of pedestrian fatalities over the years due to the high speed limit and heavy traffic flow. These new safety measures are aimed at providing a safer crossing for pedestrians, including refugees, immigrants, and the homeless who frequently walk in the area.

The details

The first pedestrian hybrid beacon will be installed in front of the North Austin Muslim Community Center within the next week. This beacon will allow pedestrians to press a button that will turn the light yellow and then red, holding traffic to allow them to cross safely. A second beacon will be installed at the intersection of Lamar and Cooper in about two months. Crews are also rebuilding the sidewalks in the area, creating 8-to-10 foot shared-use paths on both sides of the road.

  • The first pedestrian hybrid beacon will be installed in about a week.
  • The second pedestrian hybrid beacon will be installed in about two months.
  • Last July, Imam Islam Mossaad was killed after being hit by a car about a mile away from the North Austin Muslim Community Center.

The players

Imad Salem

Principal at MWM Design Group, the firm overseeing the North Lamar Boulevard Corridor Project.

Shaimaa Zayan

Operations manager at CAIR - Austin, a local chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Imam Islam Mossaad

A Muslim religious leader who was killed in a car crash on North Lamar Boulevard last July.

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What they’re saying

“The speed limit on Lamar is like 45, 50. People are flying through here. It's very unsafe, we've had over the years a lot of fatalities. I think this is going to provide a safe crossing for everybody who can use it, which would really make Lamar much safer.”

— Imad Salem, Principal at MWM Design Group (FOX 7 Austin)

“This is a source of comfort for the whole community, feeling that yes, we lost Imam Islam, but his legacy is still here. He was a person who was willing to serve anyone regardless of their economic status, social economic status or their background, their religion.”

— Shaimaa Zayan, Operations manager at CAIR - Austin (FOX 7 Austin)

What’s next

Officials held a groundbreaking on Wednesday for the North Lamar Boulevard Corridor Project, which includes the new pedestrian safety improvements. The first pedestrian hybrid beacon is expected to be completed in about a week, while the second beacon will be installed in about two months.

The takeaway

The new pedestrian safety improvements on North Lamar Boulevard are a direct response to the tragic death of Imam Islam Mossaad and aim to provide a safer crossing for all pedestrians, including vulnerable populations like refugees, immigrants, and the homeless who frequently walk in the area. These measures demonstrate the community's commitment to improving safety and honoring the legacy of the beloved religious leader.