In a similar fashion to the central part of Austin’s Sixth Street, the city on Dec. 5 will begin prohibiting automobile traffic on the main stretch of Rainey Street—one of the city’s most popular entertainment districts—on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights as a public safety and mobility measure, according to city documents.
The pilot program, which will run between Dec. 5 and March 8, 2020, has been long considered and in the works for months. The explosive growth of the Rainey Street District in recent years—a once modest single-family neighborhood—has raised safety and mobility concerns among elected leaders, city officials and neighbors. The concerns reached a fever pitch over the summer after a pedestrian was struck by a car and critically injured while crossing the street.
Beginning Thursday, Dec. 5, cars will not be allowed to enter Rainey Street between Davis and River streets between 9 p.m. and 2:30 a.m. Although automobiles will not be allowed, bikes, scooters, pedicabs and electric low-speed vehicles—such as the electric white shuttles that often seen on Rainey Street—will be permitted.
The pilot will also create designated drop-off and pick-up areas for cars and ride-sharing vehicles. These will be located toward the north on Davis Street between Rainey and Red River Street, and on Driskill Street between Red River and Rainey. Toward the south of Rainey, loading areas will be designated along River Street and at the entrance of the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican-American Cultural Center.
