|
|
|
|
City of Austin releases recommendations for Guadalupe Street improvements
|
|
|
|
A rendering of the proposed Guadalupe Street corridor.
|
|
|
The City of Austin has completed the preliminary engineering report for the Guadalupe Corridor Improvement Program. The report, also known as a Corridor Mobility Plan, contains short- and long-term recommendations to enhance safety, access and mobility along Guadalupe Street near the University of Texas campus area for all roadway users—including people who drive, walk, bike and take transit.
The report, initiated in 2014, incorporates analysis of existing conditions, current City plans and policies, technical analysis, as well as feedback from public meetings and extensive online engagement.
Key recommended improvements include:
- Conversion of Nueces Street from one-way to two-way to enhance mobility and safety
- A two-way protected bicycle path on 24th Street, between Guadalupe Street and Lamar Boulevard
- Transit priority lanes on Guadalupe Street, between Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and West 29th Street
- Various operational improvements including intersection and traffic signal work and pedestrian-focused projects such as wider sidewalks and improved street crossings
The recommendations will be considered for possible design and construction funding as part of the voter-approved 2016 Mobility Bond, which dedicates $482 million to corridor improvement projects.
City staff will provide a proposed Corridor Construction Program to the Austin City Council in spring 2018 for consideration. City Council must approve the program before 2016 Mobility Bond funding is appropriated to construction of corridor improvements, as required by City Council’s Contract With Voters.
Check AustinTexas.gov/Guadalupe and AustinTexas.gov/CorridorMobility for updates on the proposed Corridor Construction Program.
|
|
Council gives the green light for new pedestrian and traffic signals
|
|
|
|
An example of a pedestrian hybrid beacon on Riverside Drive.
|
|
The City of Austin will build several pedestrian hybrid beacons and traffic signals next year to improve safety across the city. This became official Thursday, when City Council approved a $2.85 million contract to build ten signals in locations with identified safety needs, with the option to build two to four more, should staff identify additional locations.
Council set aside funding for these projects from the Quarter-Cent Fund in 2015. This fund was created when Capital Metro designated 25 percent of its one-cent sales tax toward transit and mobility projects between 2001 and 2004. With this funding, ATD has already constructed pedestrian hybrid beacons and traffic signals at six locations, with seven more either pending or under construction.
Pedestrian hybrid beacons are pedestrian-activated traffic control devices that help pedestrians safely cross major roadways where traffic signals are not present and/or warranted. Using the new contract, these will be built near:
- 12th Street and Luna Street
- First Street and King Edward Place
- First Street and Desert Primrose Drive
- First Street and Monroe Street
- The 515 block of South Congress Avenue (south of Riverside Drive)
- Burnet Road and 47th Street (Near the Texas School for the Blind)
Using the contract, new signals will be built near:
- First Street and Great Britain Boulevard
- Davis Lane and West Gate Boulevard
- Davis Lane and Copano Drive
- Lamar Boulevard and Houston Street
|
|
Discussing tomorrow, tomorrow: Smart Mobility Roadmap, personal delivery devices coming up at Urban Transportation Commission
|
|
|
|
An example of a personal delivery robotic device.
|
|
Picture this: A self-driving car drops you off at home after a long day's work, then a personal delivery robotic device drops your groceries off at your doorstep a few minutes later. Sound far-fetched? It could happen in Austin sooner than you think.
Find out more about the future of mobility in Austin at the Urban Transportation Commission meeting tomorrow at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Board and Commission Room, located at 301 W. Second Street.
You'll get the latest on the City of Austin and Capital Metro's Smart Mobility Roadmap (a plan regarding autonomous, shared, electric vehicles and related tech), the City's personal delivery device pilot program and more. Check out the full agenda.
|
|
Check it out: The factors behind Austin's fast-growing bike network
|
|
Last month, ATD announced that it surpassed its 2017 target to build 20 percent of Austin's bicycle network, at 24 percent. Following this news, PeopleForBikes interviewed ATD about how Austin is working to double the rate it builds bike routes, highlighted on Streetsblog USA.
The experts from our Active Transportation and Street Design Division listed three key elements necessary to continue to develop Austin's all ages and abilities bicycle network: on-site field engineering, hiring in-house consultants, and nurturing trust with the public. These elements demonstrate ATD's values for open, hands-on involvement in projects and with stakeholders. Learn more about bicycling in the city at AustinTexas.gov/Bicycle.
|
|
Road signs remind to free up your hands in our winter wonderland
|
|
|
|
Our latest message reminds road users to keep their hands on the wheel.
|
|
|
"A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight... Driving in a hands-free wonderland." Our latest dynamic message sign reminds road users about the beauty of a city where everyone travels safely without distractions. It's the most wonderful time of the year, but use your hands to steer. Distracted driving puts yourself and others at risk, so put away the phone or use a hands-free system, such as Bluetooth or an affixed GPS system. Learn more about Austin's hands-free ordinance at AustinTexas.gov/Handsfree.
|
|
Air Central Texas honors ATD with 2017 Public Sector Award
|
|
|
|
ATD received the 2017 Air Central Texas Public Sector Award for its Smart Commute program. Cari Buetow (left) and Pharr Andrews (right) accepted the award on the department's behalf.
|
|
On Nov. 15, the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) held the Air Central Texas Awards to celebrate organizations and individuals who have made significant contributions to the region’s air quality.
ATD received the 2017 Air Central Texas Public Sector Award in recognition for its Smart Commute Rewards program, which incentivizes City of Austin employees to adopt more sustainable commute options over driving alone.
In further good news, ATD’s partner Movability Austin, the first and only transportation management organization in Central Texas, received the 2017 Air Central Texas Private/Nonprofit Sector Award for working with employers to improve access and mobility by helping employees and visitors all over the larger Austin area to find and use viable travel options to reduce driving alone at rush hour.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
