Long-awaited traffic signals have been installed at Interstate 35 and Fourth Street – one of the most popular ways to walk from one side of the highway to the other – and are scheduled to be activated this month. The lights will include buttons for pedestrians to activate the stop signal. The heavily used bike […]
Transportation and Public Works Department
Posted inTransportation
Mobility Committee briefing outlines progress and funding gaps in sidewalks and urban trails program
Since issuing a major facelift to Austin’s urban trail and sidewalk plans late last year, Transportation and Public Works Department staffers are following up with City Council, stopping by last month’s Mobility Committee meeting for a progress update. The plan calls for 810 miles of new sidewalk infrastructure and 740 miles of shared street solutions, […]
Posted inRoads
Across Austin, Street Impact Fees are being collected but not yet spent
Though none of the money has been spent, two years of collecting Street Impact Fees has netted a potential $17 million in roadway capacity projects for Austin roads. Curious members of the Downtown Commission got an update on the city’s Street Impact Fee program from Transportation & Public Works supervising engineer Nathan Aubert at their […]
Posted inCity Hall
Transportation official’s movie rental with city credit card was fraud, audit finds
Acting on a request they received last August, members of the Office of the City Auditor’s investigative team uncovered a trail of fraudulent behavior by Transportation and Public Works Department superintendent Michael Collier. In an audit report released last week, they said Collier falsified records related to his use of a city credit card. As […]
Posted inRoads
Changes to the city’s Corridor Program raise ‘serious transparency concerns’ for transportation commissioners
A massive shortfall in the city’s Corridor Program has caused work to be paused or cut back in some areas of the city. At their most recent meeting, Urban Transportation commissioners questioned the lack of public engagement on the changes. The current cost of all of the improvements envisioned in the program is about $1 […]
Posted inTransportation
New federal cash paves way for East Austin’s ‘wishbone’ bridge over Lady Bird Lake
Facing a steep climb in costs for a long-planned pedestrian bridge on the eastern edge of Austin’s most popular trail, the city has finally found a path forward with a $4 million cash infusion from the federal government. The new money will close a budget shortfall and allow the city to start contracting builders for the $25 […]
Posted inTransportation
New scooter rules are in effect now
As of this month, new regulations dictate how scooters operate in Austin. “I think it might be one of the biggest complaints we get in the office,” said Council Member Zo Qadri, who represents downtown. “For me, it’s not as much about the visual clutter. It’s about accessibility and safety.” Richard Mendoza, director of Transportation […]
Posted inRoads
Urban Transportation Commission learns of roles in mobility restructuring
The city’s many mobility-related offices and departments were recently restructured, and the Urban Transportation Commission got an update earlier this month about how the change is expected to impact the many road projects planned across the area. Jim Dale, interim deputy director of the Transportation and Public Works Department, spelled out the specialties of the […]
Posted inPlanning
Downtown Commission members suggest city pursue legal action against Union Pacific Railroad
Members of the Downtown Commission showed support for the city possibly using legal action including eminent domain against Union Pacific Railroad to acquire property eyed for improvements near the Seaholm District. This month’s meeting included a presentation on the improvements identified as highest priorities for the area using roughly $12 million in money remaining from […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Council to contemplate new bike parking rules this Thursday
Changes to the city’s bicycle parking requirements are headed back to City Council on Thursday with the blessing of the Planning Commission. Commissioners were updated on the code amendments at their most recent meeting. The recent elimination of parking requirements citywide did not impact requirements for bicycle parking. However, it did prod the Urban Transportation […]
Posted inTransportation
Council greenlights update to urban trails, sidewalks and bikes plan with last-minute amendments
As the city prepares for a decade of unprecedented public transportation and highway infrastructure projects, Austin’s Transportation Department is making moves to spread the love to those choosing to walk, bike or roll. Since early last year, staff has been devising updates to the 2019 Strategic Mobility Plan, a sprawling vision charting the path forward […]
Posted inTransportation
Downtown Commission explores ways to improve safety of autonomous vehicles on city streets
Despite the Cruise autonomous vehicle company’s recent decision to pause service in all cities, including Austin, members of the Downtown Commission have concerns about the growing presence of the vehicles and the city’s inability to regulate them. Staff from the Transportation and Public Works Department began a presentation to the commission last week by covering […]