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Colorado Street two-way conversion preparation begins today
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Austin Transportation is preparing today to convert Colorado Street from one-way to two-way traffic between Cesar Chavez and Ninth streets. Staff will kick off full construction on Wednesday and anticipates completing the project by the end of the week, dependent on weather and other circumstances.
In order to ensure people have enough advance notice not to park in the work area, staff is prohibiting parking between Sixth and 10th streets starting today and between Sixth and Cesar Chavez streets starting tomorrow, until work is completed in each area. Vehicles parked in active work areas will need to be towed in order to prevent delays.
Workers will implement rolling lane closures with the goal of keeping at least one lane open at any given time. Workers will reopen lanes as they are completed, but please be careful when traveling through work zones. Building and garage access will be maintained during lane striping work, though it may be limited at times.
Colorado Street will be one lane in either direction from Cesar Chavez to Ninth streets. Each intersection will retain signalization, and turn bays will be provided at Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh streets. At the intersection of Cesar Chavez Street, there will be one southbound left, one southbound right, and one northbound lane. The conversion was recommended in the 2002 Downtown Access and Mobility Plan and the Downtown Austin Plan adopted by City Council in 2011.
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City of Austin discusses pedestrian safety at statewide forum
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On July 12, the City of Austin joined industry leaders, government officials and advocates to discuss pedestrian safety at the Texas Statewide Pedestrian Safety Forum, sponsored by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute and Texas Department of Transportation. The forum focused on pedestrian safety initiatives and developing strong working relationships between pedestrian safety advocates.
Austin Transportation staff presented on the department’s initiatives and tools for pedestrian safety. Laura Dierenfield, Division Manager for Active Transportation and Street Design, shared the unique planning and development process behind Austin’s Pedestrian Safety Action Plan. Carly Haithcock, Street Designer with Austin Transportation’s in-house consultant Toole Design Group, presented on a panel entitled Innovative Data Use for Pedestrian Safety.
Pedestrians make up a third of Austin's traffic fatalities, making pedestrian safety a key focus of Austin’s Vision Zero Action Plan to eliminate all traffic-related deaths. Learn more about Austin Transportation's Pedestrian Program.
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Austin 3-1-1 lamppost banners show how to connect with your city
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Click the image preview above to watch a video of Austin Transportation crew members hanging a street banner sign.
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Over the weekend, Austin Transportation's Street Banner Program hung some new signs for Austin 3-1-1 on lampposts along Congress Bridge! Remember, Austin 3-1-1 is the City's information center, available all day, every day. If you need to report any transportation-related issues, you can contact Austin 3-1-1 via phone or mobile app, available for Apple and Android devices.
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Check it out: Guidelines for regulating shared active transportation
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Last week, the National Association of City Transportation Officials released guidelines to help cities regulate and manage shared active transportation companies, from dockless bikes to electric scooters. These guidelines provide standards for cities and public entities to manage this new industry on city streets, such as permitting frameworks, city and company communication mechanisms, standards for communicating with the public, data requirements, minimum equipment safety standards, customer privacy standards and more.
The City of Austin was among the cities who contributed to the development of these guidelines. “Austin is proud to have hosted NACTO cities from across the country to collaborate on guidelines creating a clear, proactive approach to welcoming and managing new and existing Shared Active Transportation companies,” said Robert Spillar, Director of Austin Transportation. “From docked and dockless bike share, to scooters and more, we are excited to have these city-focused guidelines as we continue to look for ways to ensure that mobility and the public good remain in the forefront of transportation policy here in Austin.”
Learn more about the City of Austin's Dockless Mobility Program.
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Drive Clean Texas shares air quality tips for the summer
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Hitting the road for your annual summer vacation? The Drive Clean Texas campaign shares these great tips that will help reduce emissions, improve fuel efficiency, and save gas:
- Maintain your vehicle
- Properly inflate your tires
- Never top off your tank
- Avoid idling at drive-thrus
For added benefits, regularly take transit, ride your bicycle or walk instead of driving – your car will thank you in the long run! The State of Texas has financial assistance programs available to help individuals or companies with the repair or replacement of older vehicles. Read about these opportunities at AirCentralTexas.org.
Taking steps to reduce emissions is particularly important during ozone season, which runs from March through October every year. Unhealthy levels of ozone can lead to increased respiratory ailments, especially in young children, older adults, asthma sufferers, and those with chronic conditions. The goal of the City of Austin Air Quality Program is to promote healthy outdoor air for all residents while also reducing traffic congestion.
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Coming up in this week's mobility calendar
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Topics to be discussed include the Shoal Creek Trail Vision to Action Plan.
The Shoal Creek Trail extends nearly 4 miles from Lady Bird Lake to 38th Street. Shoal Creek Conservancy partnered with the City of Austin Public Works Department and community stakeholders to create the Shoal Creek Trail: Vision to Action Plan, intended to lay the groundwork for making major improvements to the trail and extending it northward past Highway 183. Over the next several months, the Conservancy and the Public Works Department will present the Plan to City Council, as well as to relevant advisory bodies, including the Bicycle Advisory Council.
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