New data from an Austin Transportation and Public Works news release shows that there have been fewer crashes, fewer injuries and less speeding along Cameron Road/Dessau Road after safety improvements were completed earlier this year as part of an ongoing safety project.
Breaking it down
The project's largest safety improvements involved adjusting the lane configuration for 5.5 miles between US 290 and Parmer Lane, which was completed in January. According to Austin TPW, along this section there has been:
- A 27% decrease in the number of crashes per year, and crashes with serious injuries or deaths down 16%, per the Austin Police Department
- A 46% reduction in traffic incidents and 46% reduction in people seriously injured or killed, per Austin Travis County EMS
- A drop from 20% to 2% in drivers going 10 miles per hour or more over the speed limit
Data also shows that there has been minor changes to peak travel times along this section following the improvements.
In April 2025, northbound weekday peak travel times saw an average commute of 10 minutes 37 seconds, while weekend peak travel times were 9 minutes 50 seconds. Southbound weekday travel times hit 10 minutes 32 seconds, and weekend peak travel times hit 10 minutes 19 seconds.
In April 2026, northbound weekday peak travel times increased by two seconds, while weekend peak travel times increased by 16 seconds. Southbound times increased by eight seconds, while weekend times decreased by 22 seconds.
"While six months is too early to draw definitive conclusions, early results are an encouraging sign that the project is improving safety while maintaining efficient travel," officials said in the release.
About the project
According to previous Community Impact reporting, the $2.5 million project broke ground in in October 2025 and is being funded by the 2020 Mobility Bond and 2022 Safe Streets and Roads For All grant.
Austin TPW officials say the Cameron Road/Dessau Road corridor sees nearly 100 people killed or injured annually in traffic crashes each year, equating to approximately $100 million in comprehensive crash costs.
While the posted speed limit along this section is 40 miles per hour, speed data from a 24-hour period in March 2024 recorded over 2,900 vehicles traveling 50 miles per hour on Cameron Road. On Dessau Road, 3,900 vehicles were recorded traveling 60 miles per hour, and over 300 vehicles were recorded traveling over 70 miles per hour.
What to expect
Austin TPW officials stated that construction is expected to continue for approximately one more year. Per the project website, further transit, intersection, sidewalk and pedestrian crossing improvements are underway through spring 2027.
