Transportation Updates, October 2015[/caption]
1. Initial efforts to construct $2.5 million in wayfinding improvements include identifying pedestrian, visitor, historical, cultural, bicycle, vehicular and transit landmarks. A Downtown Wayfinding Master Plan will prioritize the location and design of projects as funding for new signage becomes available. No specific locations have been identified so far by the city.
Estimated timeline: December 2015-May 2017
2. Rio Grande Street from 24th to 29th streets will be reconstructed to improve drainage as well as add a new water line, sidewalk, curbs, gutters, ramps and a two-way cycle track lanes. The two-year project will cost approximately $8.5 million in voter-approved bond money.
Estimated timeline: January 2016-January 2018
3A, 3B. Four new “Don’t Block the Box” locations are being strictly enforced until further notice, including two Central Austin intersections at the northbound I-35 frontage road and East Seventh Street as well as RM 2222 and Balcones Drive. However, it is illegal to block any intersection in the city.
Estimated timeline: Beginning in mid-October
West Third Street corridor improvements—Phase 4[/caption]
4. West Third Street corridor improvements—Phase 4
Construction continues along two blocks of West Third Street beginning at Guadalupe Street and running west to Nueces Street, which is also undergoing work between Third and Fourth streets. The city’s Public Works Department is leading the fourth phase of the full street reconstruction efforts.
After completing work on the south side of West Third Street, the city will reopen a portion of the road to eastbound traffic only beginning in late November or early December. That will allow construction crews to begin work on the north side of the street between Guadalupe and San Antonio streets. Pedestrian routes will be detoured temporarily. The roadway will reopen as a two-way street by the end of February.
Overall project improvements include the installation of the Lance Armstrong Bikeway along West Third Street and sidewalk reconstruction along Third and Nueces streets to help bring those roadways into compliance with the city’s Great Streets design standards, which requires sidewalks be at least 18 feet wide.
A moonlight tower will also be reinstalled on the southeast corner of Fourth and Nueces streets. The tower was previously removed during construction of the 360 Residential Condominiums, which opened in 2008. Timeline: June 2015-June 2016 Cost: $5.1 million Funding sources: 2010 mobility bond money, 2012 transportation and mobility bond money
