[caption id="attachment_141627" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Central Austin, March 2016[/caption]

1. Zilker Park 

All but four of 30 automated pay stations for parking areas within Zilker Park have been installed. Traffic congestion on roads that lead to the park is expected to decrease because of the elimination of booths at the entrances of the park to collect parking fees. Parking enforcement will take place March 5-Sept. 5.

Timeline: March 5-TBD

2. Rio Grande Street 

Work began in February to reconstruct Rio Grande Street from 24th Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The project entails storm drain improvements; a new water line; a new sidewalk; curb, gutter and ramp improvements; a two-way cycle path; bicycle racks; benches; planting of trees; and trash bins. The project will cost approximately $7.5 million in voter-approved bond money. Timeline: February 2016-summer 2017

3. Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative

The design phase of the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative began in early 2016. The city is working with the Downtown Austin Alliance and local stakeholders to develop a new vision for Congress that will guide future improvements to the thoroughfare. The initiative is being funded with municipal bond money from 2012. Timeline:January 2016-December 2016 [caption id="attachment_141628" align="alignright" width="460"] Central Austin, March 2016[/caption]

4. Justin Lane reconstruction and utility adjustments 

The city of Austin Public Works Department will hold a public meeting March 31 to discuss the reconstruction of Justin Lane and utility adjustments slated to begin in the summer. The street will be reconstructed from Burnet Road to Reese Lane. The city will make water line improvements from Burnet to North Lamar Boulevard. Staff will be on hand to provide a summary of the project at the March 31 meeting as well as address questions from the community. In addition to road reconstruction and utility line improvements, the project will entail installing a two-way protected bicycle lane on Justin between Burnet and North Lamar to meet the connectivity aims of the Austin Bicycle Master Plan. Sidewalk will be removed and reconstructed to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and fill gaps. In addition, curbs and gutter are set to be replaced, a rain garden will be put in place at Reese Lane, wastewater manholes will be installed, and storm sewer inlets and piping will be constructed. Stakeholders will have an opportunity to meet the contractor at a meeting to be held a month before construction begins. Timeline: June 2016-May 2017 Cost: $6.5 million Funding sources: 2000 transportation mobility improvements bond money, 2012 transportation and mobility bond money, Austin Water Utility commercial paper notes