Improving mobility and mitigating traffic issues are at front of mind for many Austin officials, including City Council Member Ann Kitchen, who recently sent a newsletter to her constituents in District 5 detailing some of the transportation projects happening throughout the South Austin area.
Kitchen's district spans a large swath of South Central Austin where many mobility-related projects are underway or recently completed. Here's a breakdown of those projects and a few opportunities to provide feedback on ongoing projects.
Opportunity to give input on Jones Road proposed street improvements
An open house event is set for May 17 from 6-8 p.m. at Sunset Valley Elementary School, 3000 Jones Road, Austin, to review and discuss the Austin Transportation Department's proposal to improve safety and mobility on a portion of Jones Road, between Manchaca and Pillow Roads.
Area residents and drivers who use the road can provide feedback on the proposed improvements, which include measures to reduce traffic speeds and improve crosswalks, street maintenance and the addition of bicycle lanes along Jones Road from Manchaca Road to West Gate Boulevard.
Jones Road, from Manchaca to Pillow roads, is being evaluated for improvements by the Austin Transportation Department and the city of Sunset Valley.[/caption]
One section of the Jones Road project area, between Pillow Road and West Gate, falls under the jurisdiction of the city of Sunset Valley, so the department is working with the city on options to add an all ages and abilities bike lane connection along this stretch. The lane would be protected by a physical barrier between bicyclists and vehicular traffic.
A shared use path for pedestrians and bicyclists on the north side of the street is also under consideration. Further discussions with the city of Sunset Valley are needed before a final determination is made.
Following the meeting, the transportation department will revisit the project design to address concerns before determining the final plans for the project.
Identify corridors for high-capacity transit through Project Connect survey
Project Connect, Capital Metro's regional high-capacity transit plan, aims to create a system of options, including transit express lanes, bus rapid systems, and commuter and light rails. The team behind the project is studying alternatives for the Central Texas region and is seeking the Austin community's input in developing realistic and economically viable transit solutions along major corridors.
Kitchen's newsletter encouraged District 5 residents to fill out the
Investment Corridors Survey, which helps to identify commuter, connector and circular corridors that could support high-capacity transit in Austin. Major corridors under consideration include I-35, the Union Pacific Railroad, South Lamar Boulevard, South Congress Avenue and Oltorf Street.
District 5 Quarter Cent Fund projects update
Several Quarter Cent Fund transportation projects in District 5 have recently been completed, according to Kitchen's office.
The fund’s creation stems from a light-rail proposition that was defeated in 2000. Capital Metro, Austin’s regional public transportation provider, agreed in 2001 to share 25 percent of its annual revenue—money previously allocated toward light rail—with the city to fund transportation projects.
Completed projects include:
- New sidewalks on Berkett Drive near Cunningham Elementary School
- New sidewalks on Homedale Drive and Briarcrest Drive near Barton Hills Elementary School
- New sidewalks connecting Rose Hill Circle to West Stassney Lane
- New accessible pedestrian signal at West Gate and Western Trails Boulevard
- New protected bicycle lane on Barton Hills Drive
Preliminary engineering and design are underway for
several other projects, with construction continuing over the next couple of years, according to Kitchen's office. Some of the more significant projects include:
- Adding a traffic calming device* on Cohoba Drive between West Gate and Sanford Drive
Timeline: July 1, 2019-July 31, 2019
- Adding a traffic calming device* on Curlew Drive from West Slaughter Lane to Crownspoint Drive
Timeline: July 1, 2017-July 31, 2017
- Adding a traffic calming device* on Frontier Trail from Western Trails to Manchaca
Timeline: May 1, 2018-May 31, 2018
- Constructing sidewalks on the west side of South First Street from FM 1626 to the existing sidewalk at Slaughter Creek
Timeline: final schedule will be determined based on results from a feasibility study
- Adding a traffic signal at West Gate and Davis Lane
Timeline: Sept. 1, 2017-Feb. 28, 2019
- Adding a southbound left-turn lane extension on Manchaca at Stassney
Timeline: final schedule will be determined based on results from the public processes slated for this summer
*According to the Austin Transportation Department, traffic calming devices include speed humps, tables or cushions; roundabouts; median islands; chicanes, or artificial features creating extra turns in the road; and bulb-outs.
Jones Road, from Manchaca to Pillow roads, is being evaluated for improvements by the Austin Transportation Department and the city of Sunset Valley.[/caption]
One section of the Jones Road project area, between Pillow Road and West Gate, falls under the jurisdiction of the city of Sunset Valley, so the department is working with the city on options to add an all ages and abilities bike lane connection along this stretch. The lane would be protected by a physical barrier between bicyclists and vehicular traffic.
A shared use path for pedestrians and bicyclists on the north side of the street is also under consideration. Further discussions with the city of Sunset Valley are needed before a final determination is made.
Following the meeting, the transportation department will revisit the project design to address concerns before determining the final plans for the project.
