City of Austin workers have completed the first project receiving funds from the 2016 Mobility Bond Program.

The first project finished is an 1,800-foot-long sidewalk on Chesterfield Drive from North Loop Boulevard to Koenig Lane in North Central Austin.

The 2016 mobility bond identifies $15 million to go toward the city’s Sidewalk Master Plan. In May, the city also released an interactive map identifying sidewalk projects headed for construction in the next 30, 90 and 180 days. Projects on the map include those being funded through the bond program.



Here is an update on other projects identified in the 2016 Mobility Bond Program that are making progress.

Improving mobility in South Austin

City staffers have been seeking public input on mobility issues in South Austin along Slaughter Lane, William Cannon Drive and Brodie Lane. Recommendations for Slaughter and William Cannon could be designed and funded by the bond. A preliminary engineering report will be completed for Brodie, but construction will occur with future funding opportunities.

Open house meetings were held May 22-23, and a popup meeting took place June 15. Anyone who missed those meetings can still take the survey and submit comments through June 18 at www.austintexas.gov/bswcorridors.

A second round of input to help develop mobility plans for Slaughter, William Cannon and Brodie will take place this fall.

Intersection safety improvements

Another goal of the 2016 mobility bond is implementing the city’s Vision Zero plan to reduce traffic fatalities. That plan outlines a list of intersections with the most crashes.

Work begins this summer to improve a couple of those intersections and make them safer for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists. The city expects to improve 15-18 intersections using 2016 mobility bond funds.

In July the Austin Transportation Department will install a new traffic signal at the intersection of Slaughter and Alice Mae Lane near Southpark Meadows as part of a larger project to improve the intersection of Slaughter Lane and South First Street.

The next project will be to improve the intersection of Pleasant Valley Road and Elmont Drive in Southeast Austin. A dedicated left-turn lane, center median on Pleasant Valley and a shared-use path for pedestrians and bicyclists will be added.

The third project, which is still in design and will commence construction this fall, will involve updating the South Congress Avenue and Oltorf Street intersection.

Safer routes to school

This summer, the first Safe Routes to School project using mobility bonds funds will get underway. A shared-use path will be added on Redd Street and Manchaca Road for students crossing to Joslin Elementary School.

The city also is narrowing down a list of projects to make getting to school safer for children. In the near term, sidewalk projects could be implemented near Harris, Langford, Wooten, Blazier and Gullett elementary schools.