Hidden among the glimmering towers in Austin’s downtown district is a quaint trestle bridge that serves as a window into a bygone era. The bridge, located on Third Street, rests 35 feet above Shoal Creek and was constructed nearly a century ago by the International-Great Northern Railroad. The trestle facilitated the transportation of goods in […]
Samuel Stark
Posted inBicycles
Car blocking a bike lane? You might be able to report it and make some money soon.
In an effort to help city employees cite vehicles for illegally blocking bike lanes, the Urban Transportation Commission unanimously approved a “bike lane bounty” program at its meeting Tuesday night. The program, inspired by one in New York City, would allow Austinites to use the 311 mobile application to report photo evidence of cars obstructing […]
Posted inTransportation
Plan to update urban trails, sidewalks and bike lanes prioritizes equity
At the City Council Mobility Committee meeting last month, representatives from the ATX Walk Bike Roll program spoke about their commitment to achieving equitable outcomes when updating Austin’s urban trails, bike lanes and sidewalks. ATX Walk Bike Roll, a joint planning effort led by the Public Works and Transportation departments, began in 2021 with the […]
Posted inTransit
Why your bus may be delayed and what Cap Metro is doing about it
As Covid-19 cases wane and people return to the office, bus ridership is back up to 65 percent of its pre-lockdown levels, Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority said. But many folks who rely on the bus say delays and cancellations make their commute difficult. At its board of directors meeting Monday, Capital Metro execs admitted that […]
Posted inTransit
Cap Metro board approves new interim CEO as Clarke says farewell
At its Monday meeting, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors unanimously approved Dottie Watkins, deputy CEO of Capital Metro, to step into the role of interim chief executive officer of the transit organization. Watkins will lead Capital Metro until the board of directors decides on a permanent candidate to replace the current CEO […]
Posted inEMS
Moving encampments off public streets has made it more difficult to provide medical support to Austin’s unhoused
The camping ban set back years of progress local emergency services made in serving people experiencing homelessness, making it harder and more expensive to respond to an increase in emergency calls, according to a top emergency services official. The ban forced more people out of easily accessible areas, increasing the likelihood of injuries and making […]
Posted inPublic Health
Equity study attempts to mitigate long-standing health disparities
A new report by a city-appointed firm found that local medical and emergency service providers could do more to help address sharp health disparities in East and West Austin. The equity study, which was completed this summer by Public Consulting Group, examined Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services and the Austin Fire Department with an eye toward […]
Posted inCity Hall
Commission’s move to support PAC deemed an ethical slippery slope
At its monthly meeting Oct. 12, the Community Development Commission unanimously passed a recommendation to endorse the No Way on Prop A political campaign and join the list of endorsing organizations on the campaign’s website. The author of the endorsement, Kendra Garrett, a second-term CDC member, said that Proposition A “reinforces poverty,” which stands opposed […]
Posted inEnvironment
Fire season may be winding down but officials urge Austinites to stay wary of wildfire
A winter freeze and a wet spring may not conjure concerns of wildfires, but fire officials say the combination of those events and forecasted weather patterns create an environment ripe for more significant blazes, including in residential areas not normally considered at risk. February’s winter storm increased the amount of leaf litter and plant debris […]