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Austin Mobility News: January 30, 2023

Your weekly news update from the City of Austin Transportation Department
Red, yellow and blue icons of people traveling by different modes (car, bus, motorcycle, scooters, walking, wheelchair, bicycling and using mobility assistive devices) in front of icons depicting iconic Austin buildings (Frost Tower, the Capitol, etc).
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In this week's edition:
Para obtener más información en español, vea este correo electrónico en su navegador y haga clic en la esquina superior derecha para la traducción al español.

How to make sure you are prepared for the winter weather on its way to the Austin region this week
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Winter Storm Warning in effect Monday, Jan. 30 until Wednesday, Feb. 1 at noon. Temperatures have dropped across the region and the NWS is warning travelers to be aware of icy roads, especially on elevated surfaces such as bridges and overpasses. 

The Austin Transportation Department is advising residents to take steps to travel safely in response to the forecast. Anyone traveling during potentially icy conditions is advised to:    

  • Monitor weather conditions before setting out on your trip and avoid traveling, if possible.

  • Avoid elevated roads, such as overpasses and bridges, if possible.   

  • Plan additional time for travel, go slowly and turn carefully.   

  • Avoid sudden braking or accelerating to maintain traction.   

  • Ensure you have packed emergency supplies in your vehicle such as blankets, jumper cables, emergency lights, and a cell phone charger in case of a crash or emergency.   

Residents who need to report traffic light outages, road damage or any other weather-related concerns, may do so by contacting Austin 3-1-1 via phone (dial 3-1-1 or 512-974-2000) or the Austin 311 mobile app. Austin Transportation will be providing updates in case of an emergency on the department’s Facebook and Twitter channels.  

You can find more from the City of Austin, including information on cold weather shelters, warming centers and how Public Works Department crews are mobilizing to treat roads in a press release here.

South Congress Parking District proposal continues forward steps
Map of proposed South Congress PTMD boundaries and aerial view of South Congress Avenue at Gibson Street
Stakeholders continue to work on an application to create a parking and transportation management district (PTMD) that could bring mobility benefits to a large section of South Austin. The proposed district boundaries would span from Riverside Drive and Barton Springs Road to the north, Travis Heights Boulevard to the east, Oltorf Street to the south and Union Pacific Railroad to the west.

While the district spans a large area, paid on-street parking may only be implemented on certain streets, like South Congress Avenue. District boundaries allow parking revenue collected within the area to be used to fund eligible projects, like sidewalks and pedestrian crossings. The City sets aside 51 percent of parking revenue collected from its existing district for those types or projects. The West Campus PTMD is funding a sidewalk improvement project slated to start construction this summer.

The proposed district around South Congress is already home to a host of residential permit parking zones. One goal Austin Transportation Department leaders have is to unify those zones’ effective hours. A pilot program in Woods of Westlake over 2020 and 2021 led to Austin’s first hybrid parking zone, where residents and visitors can both park on the street; residents can pay for annual hangtags that exempt them for paying for individual parking sessions.

Stakeholders are continuing to gather input from residents and businesses in the South Congress area. The application is anticipated to go before City Council this spring. Staff briefed the City Council Mobility Committee earlier this month and plan to present to the Urban Transportation Commission next month. You can learn more about the proposed district and sign up for email updates on the project website.

Three draft plans now available for review as part of ATX Walk Bike Roll

Austin Public Works and Austin Transportation have released three draft plans that will guide how the City builds sidewalks, crosswalks, crossings, urban trails, and bikeways for years to come. Community members can review and comment on the Sidewalks, Crossings, and Shared Streets; Urban Trail; and/or Bicycle draft plans now through March 20. All three draft plans can be found online at PublicInput.com/ATXWBR. 

Residents can also hear presentations and share feedback on any of these draft plans by attending or speaking at any of these board and commission meetings.

After public input is received, the three plans will be revised. Finally, a public hearing at City Council will be held, and Council will vote on whether to adopt the final plans. An official notice will be posted before the Council hearing date.

The plans were developed as part of ATX Walk Bike Roll, a coordinated initiative to update three separate but related active transportation plans through an equity-centered planning process. 

The plans also build upon the vision of the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan (ASMP) and the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan to move Austin toward the goal where 50 percent of trips to work are made by walking, biking, transit, or any other non-drive-alone mode by 2039.  

Crews making progress on improvements to South First Street and Barton Springs Road intersection
Construction crews recently finished the first of four corners of the Barton Springs Road and South First Street intersection as progress continues to make safety and mobility improvements in the area. Changes coming to the area include: 
  • A new raised concrete median on the west side of Barton Springs Road
  • Upgraded pedestrian infrastructure, including restriping of high-visibility crosswalks and new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-accessible curb ramps
  • Relocated on-street bicycle lanes to new protected bicycle lanes on both sides of Barton Springs Road at the southeast and northwest corners of the intersection with enhanced visibility treatments
  • New bicycle facilities on the north and south side approaches of South First Street to connect to new eastbound and westbound bicycle facilities
  • Driveway modifications to improve safety for drivers turning in and out of driveways
  • Signal infrastructure upgrades and signal timing upgrades to improve operations
  • An improved CapMetro bus stop at the northwest corner for safer and improved access to transit
The project is expected to complete construction in the summer of 2023. You can find more information by viewing the project fact sheet. 

Calendar Corner: January 31 – February 6, 2023

City Council Mobility Committee

The Mobility Committee is made up of Austin City Council Members. It reviews land use as it concerns mobility, all transportation modes including roads, aviation, public transit, pedestrian programs, bicycle programs, ground transportation, taxicab regulation, core transit corridors and related matters.


Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Councils

These councils advise the City of Austin and other jurisdictions on all matters relating to walking, biking and rolling. This will be a joint meeting of both councils.

About Austin Transportation

The City of Austin Transportation Department works to provide a safe, efficient, innovative, cost-effective and sustainable transportation system that connects roadways, bikeways, walkways and transit systems in order to bring improved access and mobility to our community. We are taking proactive steps to engage and educate the community, which is why you received this news update. Visit AustinTexas.gov/Transportation.
Austin Transportation and Public Works Department
P.O. Box 1088
Austin, Texas 78767

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