What’s happening?
Curbs play a key role in daily transportation, serving as areas for parking, passenger pick-up and drop-off, deliveries, transit access, biking and scooter use, as well as building access, according to the update. City officials manage these spaces through tools such as signage, designated loading zones, pricing and enforcement.
The upcoming plan is intended to help prioritize curb uses, reduce conflicts and prepare for future changes, with a focus on safety, fairness and efficiency.
As part of the planning process, the city has opened an online survey to better understand how residents use curb space, the challenges they encounter and what improvements they would like to see.
The survey is available at www.SpeakUpAustin.org/curbmanagement and will remain open through Jan. 25. An initial draft of the plan is expected in April or May, with a final version anticipated in June.
Put in perspective
Curb plans could impact how thoroughfares across the city look and operate.
One example is the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative, or CAUDI, which is slated for construction in 2026. The project includes expanded sidewalks to create wider pedestrian spaces, along with upgraded barriers separating bicycle lanes from vehicle traffic.
Future phases of the project are also expected to include a new public plaza along Congress Avenue near the Capitol.
Beyond Congress Avenue, city officials continue to review and adjust policies related to multimodal transportation, including parking rules, scooter regulations and zoning ordinances, as they consider how different uses compete for limited curb space.
