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City hosting public meeting tonight on new pedestrian, bicycle crossing near Longhorn Dam
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Satellite image of Longhorn Dam, courtesy of Google Maps.
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The City of Austin is conducting a preliminary study for construction of a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge crossing Lady Bird Lake near Longhorn Dam. Staff is asking for feedback on what the new crossing should accomplish and what potential interim improvements could be made to Longhorn Dam. This process will kick off at a public meeting tonight.
Longhorn Dam Multimodal Improvements Public Kick-off Meeting
At the meeting, Public Works and Austin Transportation staff will introduce the project and identify the needs and issues it is intended to address. This will include an overview of the project and the planning history surrounding it, along with existing conditions and considerations that will affect the alternatives analysis that will ultimately result in a proposed solution. Learn more about the project at AustinTexas.gov/LonghornBridge.
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Construction of safety and mobility improvements begin at Slaughter Lane and Cullen Avenue
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Photo of conditions at Slaughter Lane and Cullen Avenue before improvements.
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The City of Austin is beginning construction this week of 2016 Mobility Bond-funded safety and mobility improvements at the intersection of Slaughter Lane and Cullen Avenue.
The purpose of the project is to increase safety and improve mobility by modifying the medians on Slaughter, upgrading the signal and improving pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. The improvements align with Council’s Austin Strategic Direction 2023 Mobility Strategic Outcome of getting Austinites where we want to go, when we want to get there, safely and cost-effectively.
Construction activities are anticipated to last approximately three months, barring any weather delays or other unforeseen circumstances. People driving, walking or biking near the construction area should use caution and watch for workers.
This project is the fifth intersection to begin construction as part of the Intersection Safety/Vision Zero program funded by the 2016 Mobility Bond. The 2016 Mobility Bond dedicates $15 million to fatality reduction strategies for projects listed on the Top Crash Location Intersection Priorities Improvement List.
View the project fact sheet for more information about Slaughter/Cullen.
Read more and view other intersection improvement projects on the Transportation Safety Improvement Program website.
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Austin voters pass bonds to fund various projects and programs
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Last week, Austin voters approved seven bond propositions to fund a variety of projects and programs, totaling $925 million—$160 million of which will go toward transportation infrastructure.
Proposition G provides funding for the City to address issues within existing transportation infrastructure, including, but not limited to, street and sidewalk reconstruction and rehabilitation; bridge and structure rehabilitation and replacement; Vision Zero intersection and pedestrian safety projects; traffic signal upgrades; and improvement of public spaces through the Neighborhood Partnering Program.
Allocations to Austin Transportation include $15 million to Vision Zero and transportation safety and $4.5 million for signals and technology upgrades and expansion.
Learn more about each proposition and what types of projects and programs it will fund.
Find more information at AustinTexas.gov/2018Bond.
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Austin launches e-bike pilot at bike share stations
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The e-bikes are made by BCycle, LLC, the equipment vendor for the City-owned system, and feature the Bosch mid-drive pedal assist system, built into the bike frame and automatically engaging the motor when riders pedal.
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Last week, Austin B-cycle launched a three-month pilot testing pedal-assist e-bikes in Austin’s public bike share system to determine the public interest in e-bikes and help put 10 prototype B-cycle e-bikes through their rigors ahead of production models coming out in spring 2019.
“E-bikes offer a great, time-competitive option for Austinites,” said Jason JonMichael, Assistant Director for Smart Mobility at the Austin Transportation Department. “We welcome the addition of e-bikes to our existing station-based bike share system to make this service even more useful for our community.”
Austin joins Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Madison, and Ft. Lauderdale in piloting the prototype e-bikes from November to January 2019. The e-bikes will be available to all Austin B-cycle pass holders at no additional charge. Riders can see where the bikes are located by updating the BCycle app or visiting the online map at AustinBcycle.com and clicking on stations with a lightning bolt symbol.
Austin B-cycle is a public-private partnership between the City of Austin, the system
owner, and Bike Share of Austin, the local 501c3 nonprofit operator.
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Austin Transportation files final Director Rules for Deployment and Operation of Shared Small Vehicle Mobility Systems
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Austin Transportation filed the final Director Rules for Deployment and Operation of Shared Small Vehicle Mobility Systems with the City Clerk on Friday, Nov. 9, 2018. The rules are available online in the form of the final filed version and a version with tracked changes.
The rules apply to the regulation of dockless mobility services and providers. Dockless mobility systems consist of devices, such as bicycles or scooters, that do not require fixed docking stations for users to receive or return units.
Austin Transportation previously posted the Director Rules for Deployment and Operation of Shared Small Vehicle Mobility Systems to the Dockless Mobility webpage for public comment on Oct. 2, 2018. A summary of the written comments received is included in the notice of rule adoption. More information is available on the Dockless Mobility webpage.
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Shoal Creek Trail Plan now available
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The Shoal Creek Trail Plan is now available! This community-developed p lan lays the foundation for implementing major improvements to the existing 3.9-mile Shoal Creek Trail, extending the trail by nearly nine miles, and connecting it to the Walnut Creek Trail north of US 183. Ultimately, the extended Shoal Creek Trail will become part of a 30-mile continuous “Big Loop” of urban trails traversing the city from Lady Bird Lake to Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park. The Plan is the result of a more than one-year-long public process in partnership with the Shoal Creek Conservancy, the City of Austin and community stakeholders. |
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Vision Zero: Attend the vigil on World Day of Remembrance for victims of traffic violence
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Vision Zero ATX, a nonprofit organization, is hosting its fourth annual Day of Remembrance vigil for attendees to remember loved ones who were killed in traffic crashes and recognize those who have been severely injured.
Local officials will provide opening remarks at City Hall at 5 p.m. Attendees will walk over to the Texas State Capitol, where the vigil will be held.
Vision Zero is an international movement that aspires to reduce the number of people who die or are seriously injured in traffic crashes to zero. The City of Austin officially joined this movement when City Council adopted the Vision Zero Action Plan in 2016. Get involved with the City's Vision Zero initiatives.
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Reminder: Take the PeopleforBikes survey to share your Austin biking experience
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The 2018 PeopleForBikes Community Survey is the perfect opportunity to tell your city leaders what it's like to bike in your town. Complete the survey today and be entered to win sweet prizes from IZIP Electric, PeopleForBikes and program sponsor Trek. Everyone can participate regardless of where, how or why they ride. The survey closes this Friday, Nov. 16.
Your feedback also helps determine Austin's score in the 2019 PlacesForBikes ratings. Check out last year's results.
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Coming up in this week's mobility calendar
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The City of Austin is developing a Corridor Mobility Plan for Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd./FM 969 between North Lamar Blvd. and US 183. We heard about Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.'s needs and existing conditions earlier this year. This feedback informed the proposed recommendations we'll present at the public meeting today.
The meeting is an open house format, so join us anytime. The event will feature updated maps and refreshments. Habrá interpretación en Español. See more information about the Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd./FM 969 Corridor Mobility Plan.
Recommended improvements identified in the Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd./FM 969 Corridor Mobility Plan may be designed and constructed as future funding sources become available.
As part of the 2016 Mobility Bond, the City of Austin is evaluating Ross Road between Highway 71 and Heine Farm Road for potential safety and mobility improvements. Come by the open house to review the proposed recommendations for Ross Road and to share your feedback.
The Texas Department of Transportation invites you to attend a public workshop for the Loop 360 at Spicewood Springs Road project. Come and go at your convenience to learn more about the project and provide input on proposed improvements to the Loop 360 at Spicewood Springs Road/Bluffstone Drive intersection. The input received at the workshop will help guide the planning for this project. Learn more about this TxDOT project.
Topics to be discussed include the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan and Project Connect.
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