Jun 04
The Austin Police Department’s Highway Enforcement Command has launched an online traffic survey and ask Austin drivers to help identify the most pressing driving safety issues in the community.
The survey asks drivers to provide input regarding overall traffic safety and driving behavior on Austin streets and roadways. APD is encouraging every citizen to participate as the department continues to prioritize its traffic safety efforts and moves forward with making the Austin a safer place.
Take the survey online by July 15 - APD Traffic Survey
May 10
Austin street maintenance may suffer from budget shortfalls. According to budget forecasts presented to the City Council, the $43.2 million collected from transportation fees on utility bills won’t cover the planned maintenance of $50.9 million for fiscal year 2009.
The issue is particularly important as streets that do not receive timely maintenance deteriorate faster and require more costly rebuilding. The city’s goal is to take care of maintenance on 10 percent of its roads each year. In 2002, the City reduced that amount to 8% and recently began increasing the amount in an effort to regain the 10% goal. The $50.9 million budget was estimated at 9.5% of roads in 2009.
Austin scraping for street maintenance money - Austin American-Statesman
May 07
WHAT: Briefing on the Downtown Austin Plan: Urban Rail Connector/Circulator Proposal
WHEN: Tuesday, May 13, 2008, Check-in at 7:40 a.m., Meeting at 8:00 a.m.
WHERE: St. David’s Episcopal Church, 304 East 7th Street in Sumner’s Hall, 3rd Floor
City of Austin staff and members of the ROMA Design team will present details of the proposal for inclusion of a rail-based circulator/connector in the Downtown Austin Plan.
As proposed, the circulator would connect Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Downtown, the Capitol complex, and the Mueller redevelopment site. The line could be extended to other areas in future phases.
Parking will be available at the Southwest Tower parking garage located 211 East 7th Street. RSVP via email to rsvp@downtownaustin.com or call 512-469-1766 x211 by Monday, May 12 by 5:00 p.m.
Apr 22
Downtown Austin Plan (DAP) consultant ROMA Design Group outlined a light rail proposal for Central Austin at a public meeting on Apr 22. The proposed 14-mile system would run from downtown Austin to the airport, through the UT campus and then east towards Mueller, primarily in dedicated lanes.
Estimated costs range from $5 to $40 million per mile. As proposed, the line would be built the City of Austin rather than Capital Metro, though financing is undetermined. City Council Member Brewster McCracken envisions a partnership between the City, Travis County and Cap Metro.
ROMA will make a recommendation to the Austin City Council May 8 and to the CAMPO Transit Working Group May 12.
New commuter rail plan to be unveiled Tuesday - KVUE
It’s baaack: A proposal for light rail - Austin Business Journal
ROMA to recommend 14 miles of light rail in Central Austin - Austin American-Statesman
Light Rail Route Outlined - Austin Business Journal
New light-rail plan rolls into Austin - Austin American-Statesman
Apr 11
The Austin City Council gave preliminary approval for zoning within half-mile radius around future CapMetro commuter rail stations within the city. Final approval is expected within a few weeks.
Feb 15
Phase One of the Downtown Austin Plan was presented to the City Council at their Thursday meeting. Much of the Council’s follow-up discussion focused on transportation issues, including the costs of extending rail service to downtown destinations. Estimates for this expansion will be reviewed at the Feb 28 Council meeting.
Downtown Austin Plan Gets Expanded for Rail - Austin American-Statesman
Downtown Austin Plan
Apr 26
TONIGHT - April 26 - Austin PBS Series 3rd season premiere has segment on urban transportation: Premiering tonight at 8:00 p.m., on KLRU-TV, Austin PBS - Season 3 of DOWNTOWN - the 3-time Emmy® Award-winning series featuring the people and places that make DOWNTOWN: As Austin As It Gets. Tonight’s episode is #301: Urban Transportation, Downtown’s “Wilder” Side, The “Rite” Playhouse.
The show is also available free on Time Warner Cable’s Lone Star on Demand, Channel 1400.
DOWNTOWN is a co-production of the Downtown Austin Alliance, Action Figure and KLRU-TV, Austin PBS. More information on the series is available here.
