Bergstrom Spur study wins planning award

The Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association has awarded a Planning Achievement Award for Transportation Planning to the city’s Urban Trails Program and Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Bergstrom Spur Corridor Study. According to the news release, the award “honors planning efforts in the state of Texas that work to increase transportation choices for all populations, reduce single-occupancy vehicle dependence, and mitigate climate change impacts.” The Bergstrom Spur Corridor Study is an analysis of the abandoned rail corridor called the Bergstrom Spur, located in Southeast Austin near the airport. Previous studies identified the corridor as “an important future link for connecting regional bicycle, pedestrian, trail, and transit networks. Through the study, the project team worked closely with local residents and community members to develop proposed concepts for the urban trail and future transit connections.” Assistant City Manager Gina Fiandaca said, “Beginning this project brings us one step closer to ensuring all Austin residents have affordable, sustainable options for getting where they need to go safely.”