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TxDOT announces new plan to address congestion along I-35
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TxDOT, State Senator Kirk Watson and other local officials announced a plan last week to add two managed express lanes in each direction along 33 miles of I-35 through Austin, from RM 1431 in Round Rock to SH 45 Southeast, near Buda. TxDOT has named the proposal "Capital Express" and said it includes lowering I-35 through downtown Austin and potentially removing the upper decks from Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard to Airport Boulevard.
"Adding two managed express lanes in each direction will require extensive reconstruction of I-35, providing the opportunity to add additional enhancements to the project," TxDOT elaborated in a press release. "They could include placing the express lanes under the mainlanes where right of way is limited and providing direct access between the express lanes and frontage roads. Those features improve safety by preventing drivers from weaving across mainlanes and causing interruptions. The Capital Express project also includes operational improvements such as longer entrance and exit ramps, intersection bypass lanes, and bicycle and pedestrian improvements."
TxDOT has been considering potential plans to address congestion along I-35 since 2011 and has initiated three ongoing environmental studies on the stretch that is now part of Capital Express. "Instead of studying the project in three sections, the new alternative will be studied as one," notes the press release. "Public input provided at previous I-35 meetings, open houses, and workshops will be incorporated into the new project. Opportunities to provide additional input will be available at open houses scheduled for spring 2018."
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Austin surpasses target on third anniversary of Bicycle Master Plan
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On this day in 2014, City Council adopted the Austin Bicycle Master Plan, setting ambitious goals for a connected and protected bicycle network that provides mobility options for people of all ages and abilities. Today, Austin races past its 2017 target of building out 20 percent of the all-ages-and-abilities (AAA) bicycle network envisioned in the plan. We're at 24 percent, and there are no plans to slow down!
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In fact, Austin's bicycle network targets ramp up pretty steeply in the coming years, and the $20 million for bikeways included in the 2016 Mobility Bond provides a boost as we work toward our next benchmarks: 50 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2025.
We're also helping people learn how to use the better bikeways for transportation trips through enhanced education and encouragement projects and programs such as the Big Jump and Smart Trips Austin. And we just released the new and improved 2017 Austin Bike Map, which lays out all of Austin's bikeways, color-coded based on comfort level. It's a picture of the ever-improving Austin bike network called for in the plan! Visit ATD's Bicycle Program webpage to download the map or find out where to get a printed copy.
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Vision Zero education continues with street teams at top priority intersections
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As part of Vision Zero's ongoing efforts to increase education and awareness, the program launched a campaign to make people aware of some of the high-priority intersections that recently underwent or will be receiving engineering safety changes. These projects are being delivered by the Transportation Safety Improvement Program.
Vision Zero street teams recently paired up with 107.1 La Zeta and local businesses in the area of the Rundberg Lane and Lamar Boulevard intersection to educate people about the recent safety improvements, along with what the public can do to be safer road users.
The Vision Zero street teams, who are also bilingual, will be visiting four more intersections within the next several weeks. Follow @AustinMobility on Twitter to see where they will show up next and get your free safety gear with information about improvements at an intersection near you.
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2016 Mobility Bond update, CodeNEXT transportation briefing coming up at Mobility Committee meeting this week
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Two major City of Austin initiatives related to mobility will be discussed at the City Council Mobility Committee meeting this Wednesday.
First, staff will delve into development of the 2016 Mobility Bond Corridor Construction Program. The Corridor Mobility Program consists of $482 million to implement Corridor Plans for some major corridors and develop Mobility Plans for additional corridors and critical arterials. This will be followed by a briefing on mobility-related sections of the draft Land Development Code, part of the ongoing rewrite process known as CodeNEXT.
The meeting will take place from 3-6 p.m. in the City Hall Boards and Commissions Room, 301 West Second Street. More information about the Mobility Committee and the upcoming meeting can be found here.
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Free bike valet makes cycling to UT football games a breeze
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Fall is a prime season for bicycle rides and football, so why not enjoy both by pedaling to the University of Texas games? You can also beat traffic and find parking easily by using the free bike valet on campus!
The free bike valet on UT game days makes cycling a more convenient, sustainable and affordable option, thanks to Vision Zero and Bike UT’s partnership. What’s more, no lock is required! Just drop your bicycle off at the Vision Zero tent. This service will be located at the northeast corner of 23rd and Trinity streets on the following game days:
- Saturday, Nov. 11
- Friday, Nov. 24.
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