The city of Austin on July 12 started construction on several safety and mobility improvements on Rundberg Lane in North Austin.
The improvements at the intersections of Rundberg at I-35 and Rundberg at Middle Fiskville Road are part of the 2016 mobility bond, and construction at both intersections include pedestrian safety projects.
The city has added Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ramps at the intersections. The Austin Transportation Department expects to add reflective pavement markings and high-visibility crosswalks at the intersections by Sept. 10.
City crews have also built improved medians and a new pedestrian crossing island at the intersection at Rundberg and I-35. Pedestrian crossing islands provide protected pathways for pedestrians and cyclists looking to cross the road. Planning documents for this project show the median reconstruction will close the existing median gap on Rundberg west of the I-35 frontage road.
The Capital Metro bus stop at Middle Fiskville on the north side of Rundberg will also be relocated for safer customer access, according to the project fact sheet.
Traffic fatality data from the city of Austin’s Vision Zero website shows there have been three pedestrian fatalities along Rundberg near the intersections at I-35 and Middle Fiskville since May 2020.
In an email to Community Impact Newspaper, Austin Transportation Public Information Specialist Jack Flagler said the city expects construction to wrap on the project by mid-September.
New Capital Metro budget includes $12M for new North Austin metro station
Capital Metro presented a $319.1 million budget proposal for fiscal year 2021-22, a $41 million increase compared to last year. The increase reflects the public transit agency’s optimism that ridership will return to prepandemic levels.
The majority of the budget, $183.8 million, would go toward purchased transportation, which is largely driver salaries. That number represented a $15.1 million increase compared to last year.
The proposal also listed Capital Metro’s capital project funding, which detailed significant investment in electrifying the bus fleet. Over five years, the public transit agency plans to spend $115.5 million on purchasing 110 electric buses as well as $34.7 million for charging infrastructure.
The capital project also included a $12 million contribution to the Broadmoor rail station, as well as $4 million over five years for bus station improvements. Those improvements will aim to create better shading and lighting for riders.
For revenue, Capital Metro projects an injection of funding from federal coronavirus relief programs. The budget reveals $172.3 million in revenue from operating contributions and grants, compared to $75.7 million forecasted in FY 2020-21 and $117.1 million in FY 2019-20.
The budget projects $290.8 million in sales tax revenue, compared to the $277.5 million forecasted for FY 2020-21. Capital Metro does not plan to increase fares in FY 2021-22.
The board is scheduled to give its final approval Sept. 27 and will have a public hearing on the budget Sept. 15. Once approved, the budget will run from October 2021 to September 2022.
ONGOING PROJECTS
Parkfield Drive safety improvements
Improvements along Parkfield Drive between Rundberg Lane and Payton Gin Road are substantially complete. The city will soon start construction on pedestrian crossings at intersections around Wooldridge Elementary School.
Timeline: May 2021-fall 2021
US 183 at I-35 flyovers
State crews began pouring concrete for the deck on the northbound US 183 to northbound I-35 flyover after successfully setting beams on the ramp. The project team will now work to install overhead sign bridges.
Timeline: January 2018-fall 2021
