Stories by Nina Hernandez
Austin near-miss incident subject of discussion at U.S. Senate hearing on nationwide airport safety “crisis”
February’s near-miss incident at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport was the subject of discussion at a U.S. Senate subcommittee hearing last week on nationwide airport safety concerns. Aviation industry executives and government officials testified on how to improve safety at the…
Transportation • By Nina Hernandez • Nov 14, 2023
Travis County voters approve bond propositions aimed at roads, parks
On election night, Travis County voters overwhelmingly approved a bond package that will bolster roads and parks. Proposition A includes $233,060,000 in road bonds that will pay for safety projects, acquiring land for right of way, road drainage, bike lanes,…
Bonds & Propositions • By Nina Hernandez • Nov 8, 2023
Three City Council members join “Wider Won't Work” rally against I-35 expansion
Three City Council members spoke Sunday at the Rethink35 “Wider Won’t Work” rally against the Interstate 35 Capital Express project. Those in attendance at Sanchez Elementary School included Mayor Pro Tem Paige Ellis, who is chair of Council’s Mobility Committee,…
Roads • By Nina Hernandez • Nov 6, 2023
Environmental Commission recommends code variances for Old Lampasas Dam modernization project
At its meeting on Wednesday, the Environmental Commission voted to approve a set of Land Development Code variances to accommodate the Watershed Protection Department’s Old Lampasas Dam #3 Modernization Project. The Northwest Austin dam was built in the early 1980s…
Environment • By Nina Hernandez • Nov 3, 2023
Application period still open for Project Connect anti-displacement Community Advisory Committee
There is still time to apply to join the citizen committee that will advise the city of Austin, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Austin Transit Partnership on anti-displacement and equity matters related to Project Connect. The city’s $7…
Transit • By Nina Hernandez • Nov 1, 2023
MetroBike wins $11.3 million federal grant to fund transition to electric bicycles
Austin’s MetroBike program is the winner of a $11.3 million federal grant that will pay to expand and enhance its services, as well as allow it to transition to a fully electric bicycle fleet. The grant is funded by the…
Transit • By Nina Hernandez • Oct 27, 2023
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Permit for controversial private dam on South Llano River withdrawn
A Houston-based landowner has withdrawn his request for a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality permit that would’ve paved the way for a private dam on the South Llano River. The TCEQ permit database shows that the application from Waterstone Creek…
Water • By Nina Hernandez • Oct 26, 2023
Cap Metro board hears results of first post-pandemic Origin & Destination survey
Besides interrupting Capital Metro’s transportation services, the pandemic also interfered with its process of measuring its ridership, typically done every five years. On Monday, for the first time since 2015, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors heard a…
Transit • By Nina Hernandez • Oct 25, 2023
Vision Zero analysis reveals drugs or alcohol involved in higher percentage of traffic fatalities than state data shows
An analysis by Austin’s Vision Zero initiative found that the presence of drugs or alcohol among Travis County traffic fatalities is higher than previously thought. Vision Zero Analytics is a series of white papers by the Austin Transportation and Public…
Transportation • By Nina Hernandez • Oct 24, 2023
Travis County voters to consider bond package aimed at road, park improvements
Early voting in the Travis County bond election begins on Monday, Oct. 23, and runs through Nov. 3. Election day is Nov. 7. The Travis County Commissioners Court unanimously approved adding the bond to the November election on Aug. 15.…
Bonds & Propositions • By Nina Hernandez • Oct 20, 2023
Doggett urges action to address string of near misses between aircraft at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett this week urged the Federal Aviation Administration to respond to a string of near misses at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport with increased air traffic controller staffing levels. In a letter to acting FAA Administrator Polly Trottenberg,…
Transportation • By Nina Hernandez • Oct 18, 2023
City Council to consider facility management and labor services contract for airport’s South Terminal
On Thursday, City Council will consider a $9 million contract with ClearedDirect LLC for facility management and labor services for the South Terminal at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The contract, if approved, will run from Nov. 1, 2023, through Dec.…
