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Construction to begin on safety improvements at 45th and Red River
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Austin Transportation will begin constructing safety and mobility improvements at the intersection of 45th and Red River streets later this month, with a goal of completing the project in summer 2018.
The project will increase safety and improve mobility by adjusting signal timing, reassigning lanes and creating dedicated left-turn lanes on three approaches to the intersection.
The southeast corner curb in front of Red River Church will also be reconstructed, improving transit operations by providing safer turns for buses. Additionally, a new two-way shared left-turn lane along 45th Street between Red River Street and Bennett Avenue will provide a safer space for vehicles making left turns out of side streets and driveways.
These improvements, funded by the 2016 Mobility Bond, are being executed in partnership with Capital Metro.
This is the fourth 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.
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TTI and City host regional summit on transportation safety education
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Left: A tea light display commemorates the 240 people who died in traffic collisions last year in Central Texas. Right: Dr. Robert Wunderlich, Director of TTI’s Center for Transportation Safety, presents research findings on the issue.
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Central Texas transportation leaders and partners convened Friday to discuss ways they can collaborate on messages and leverage each other’s educational efforts to help reduce traffic deaths and injuries.
At all levels of government, transportation safety efforts and programs traditionally take a multidisciplinary approach to safety that includes engineering, enforcement, education, evaluation and policy. Researchers from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) released a new report, entitled "Transportation Safety Education: A Strategic Guidance Report," at the gathering, highlighting successful efforts like the national “Click It or Ticket” campaign. The report provides a foundation of best practices and an evaluation framework for transportation safety education campaign approaches.
Event speakers included Texas Representative Celia Israel, Medical Director and Health Authority for Austin Public Health Dr. Philip Huang, and Director of TTI’s Center for Transportation Safety Dr. Robert Wunderlich.
Learn about the City's Vision Zero Program and steps we're taking to end traffic deaths on Austin streets.
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Council to hold public hearings for street name changes on Thursday
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On Thursday, City Council members will hear from the public concerning two proposed street name changes: Robert E. Lee Road to Azie Taylor Morton Road and Jeff Davis Avenue to Will Holland Avenue. Both hearings will take place no earlier than 4 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers (301 W. 2nd St.).
Separate applications for each street name change were submitted by Council Member Ann Kitchen (Robert E. Lee Road) and Council Member Leslie Pool (Jeff Davis Avenue) to the Austin Transportation Department, both for the purpose of honoring a person, place, institution, group, entity, or event, in accordance with City Code Section 14-5-4(7): Allowed Reasons for Street Name Change. As part of the public input process, Austin Transportation contacted area stakeholders and received feedback, which was provided to Council.
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Help clear the air for Air Quality Awareness Week
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This week, we are bringing awareness to something that is out of sight and out of mind until its quality is compromised: air.
Air Quality Awareness Week 2018 will be April 30 – May 4. This year's theme is Air Quality Where You Are. The goal is to promote efforts that increase air quality awareness and inspire people to take steps, no matter how large or small, to reduce their contribution to air pollution. How can you participate?
- Drive less. Use alternative modes of transportation, such as biking, walking and carpooling.
- Drive clean. Keep your car tuned up and combine multiple errands into one trip.
- Conserve. Use less water and electricity throughout the day to help reduce the amount of emissions put out by utility plants.
- Promote. Programs like Central Texas Clean Air Ambassadors empower people to promote air awareness.
Making a commitment to act is the first step in being “Air Aware” and helping to keep the region's air breathable. Visit AirCentralTexas.org to learn about more actions that you can take to help keep the region’s air clean.
Have your own efforts? Tell us about it on social media by tagging us at @AustinMobility on Twitter or @ATXTransportation on Facebook and use the hashtag #AQAW2018! Visit AustinTexas.gov/AirQuality for more information on the City's Air Quality Program.
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Date change: Earth Day ATX to take place April 29
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Due to weather, Earth Day ATX has been rescheduled to this Sunday, April 29. Stop by for the festivities and find Austin Transportation in the World of Biking area!
Earth Day ATX
12-7 p.m., Sunday, April 29
Huston-Tillotson University
900 Chicon St., Austin, TX 78702
Arrive sustainably on a B-cycle—for free! Austin Transportation is offering a free B-cycle day pass for the occasion. Simply enter the code 42918 at a B-cycle kiosk to access your free Earth Day ATX day pass. Earth Day ATX is a zero waste event, which means there will be many opportunities to lower your carbon footprint, conserve, recycle and upcycle. Learn more about Earth Day ATX. |
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Take on Love to Ride's May Biking Challenge
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Bike during the month of May and you can win great prizes! May is National Bike Month and Austin is gearing up for the biggest bike month ever. From May 1-31, individuals or organizations can sign up to see who can get the most people riding and earn points for a range of great prizes. The challenge has it all: friendly competition, fun and fitness!
Everyone can ride and win—even if you're new to biking—so join to get motivated and moving. Travel by bike and help to make Austin a happier, healthier, more affordable, sustainable city. The challenge starts next week so sign up today! Registration is free.
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The May Biking Challenge is a National Bike Month initiative of the City of Austin, in partnership with Love to Ride. To get started with riding in Austin, you can visit AustinTexas.gov/Bicycle for bicycle maps and information on laws and safety.
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Check it out: Don't answer that hotline bling if you're driving
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"You used to call me on my cell phone, but roads are a hands-free zone."
Our latest road message reminds drivers about keeping your hands on the wheel.
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Don't call Drake on your cell phone late at night when you need to drive. When that hotline bling, it can only mean one thing—you're probably not driving. Remember, April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and driver inattention is one of the top contributing factors to the most fatal or incapacitating crashes. Austin is a hands-free city, and with your help, we can achieve our Vision Zero goal of eliminating all traffic-related deaths and injuries. Learn more at AustinTexas.gov/VisionZero.
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Coming up in this week's mobility calendar
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Cedar Bend Drive Bikeways Open House Meeting
Join the Active Transportation and Street Design team to review proposed safety and connectivity improvements on Cedar Bend Drive from Mopac Service Road (northbound) to Metric Boulevard. Learn more about the project here.
"Dockless Mobility in the Downtown Environment" Virtual Open House
Austin Transportation and the Downtown Austin Alliance are hosting a virtual open house/webinar as part of a community-wide conversation on how the City of Austin can develop a successful dockless pilot program.
- Date: Friday, April 27, 2018
- Time: 9-10 a.m.
- Location: Join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. (Link will be active on the day.)
You can also dial in using your phone:
United States: +1 (646) 749-3122
Access Code: 875-894-021
Dockless Mobility Community Listening Sessions
Austin Transportation is gearing up to have the community test out new dockless mobility options, but first we're asking the community what they want out of the upcoming pilot. Austin Transportation is continuing this public engagement process by asking for public input about dockless bike, electric bike and electric scooter systems at two listening sessions this week. Read more about the pilot program and open houses at AustinTexas.gov/DocklessMobility.
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