AUSTIN | Transportation Updates

[freerover]

The red line meeting last week was interesting. Some takeaways:

-CM expects the new Domain/Broadmore station to drastically increase red line ridership
-Kramer station will remain open until the Q2 station is open
-Changes in federal regulation concerning speed have changed the effectiveness of the current passing areas. CM is trying to identify around 6 strategic areas between the Domain and Downtown for additional passing. The biggest problem area to me seems like between Q2 and Highland.
-The new Q2 station will be able to hold 6 trains for the end of events
-New quite zones coming to Runberg, Rutland, Braker and Kramer

[enragedcamel]

Something I've been wondering since I moved to Austin several years ago: what's with the weird turtle-style speed bumps on various residential streets? They seem particularly useless, especially if one is driving a larger/higher vehicle and can just align their wheels to go between the bumps.

I've never seen such speed bumps elsewhere. I can usually drive almost full speed and not feel them.

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by enragedcamel

Something I've been wondering since I moved to Austin several years ago: what's with the weird turtle-style speed bumps on various residential streets? They seem particularly useless, especially if one is driving a larger/higher vehicle and can just align their wheels to go between the bumps.

I've never seen such speed bumps elsewhere. I can usually drive almost full speed and not feel them.

You're seeing the conflict between Austin Transportation/Public Works vs. AFD/EMS.

AT knows that traffic calming will prevent accidents and save lives.

AFD claims that a bunch of people will die if they can't drive like a bat out of hell for the entirety of their trip and get there a couple seconds later. Or if we don't build streets wide enough for two fire trucks to pass each other at speed.


(okay, I'm biased, but that's the conflict at work here).

[sjk]

It looks like they are seeking feedback regarding adding some caps over I-35 near downtown. It seems there is a chance of getting much of I-35 through downtown covered by caps (if not by stitches and cross street bridges).

City seeks input on proposals to add decks and widened bridges over I-35 in Central Austin

https://communityimpact.com/austin/centr...ned-bridges-over-i-35-in-central-austin/

Link to provide project feedback:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/C6PGXRP

Link to brand survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JGNHFX7

[JAM]

Thanks for the link SJK.

The caps are nice, they look nice, but I don't see how they allow you to cross to the other side any easier? A pedestrian still has to navigate 8 lanes of feeder or am I reading this wrong? What ever the feeder width, you have to navigate the feeders regardless if there is a cap or not. Is this correct or am I missing something?

[Maximusx1]

Originally Posted by JAM

Thanks for the link SJK.

The caps are nice, they look nice, but I don't see how they allow you to cross to the other side any easier? A pedestrian still has to navigate 8 lanes of feeder or am I reading this wrong? What ever the feeder width, you have to navigate the feeders regardless if there is a cap or not. Is this correct or am I missing something?

Yea but they look nice, so they feel nice, which is all that matter to some people, How it feels.

[We vs us]

Originally Posted by Maximusx1

Yea but they look nice, so they feel nice, which is all that matter to some people, How it feels.

Weird flex.

[atxsnail]

Solar-powered ‘mobility hub’ to address public transit inequities in north Austin

https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/s...blic-transit-inequities-in-north-austin/

The Georgian Acres neighborhood is going to be the recipient of a mobility hub involving some combination of bikeshare, scooters, wifi, mobile health clinic, and a community shuttle. Not sure where exactly it's going to be located. The project won $1m funding from an NSF grant.

Hopefully it helps some people.

[JAM]

Originally Posted by Maximusx1

Yea but they look nice, so they feel nice, which is all that matter to some people, How it feels.

I suppose. I'd like to think the general population is smarter than that tho. Ever been to Allen Pkwy in Houston during rush hour? It doesn't feel so great trying to cross it. This looks worse, considering its I-35.

[nixcity]

^Ever been to Clyde Warren in Dallas? It is not just about looks, wth is it with you guys? Does one just wake up, gleaming with a brand new day of hope in owning the libs or is it truly just the lack of ability to see two sides (or more) of an issue? This opens up acres of real estate that could be used for the public (a la Clyde Warren) or by businesses which could bring in big bucks for our local tax base.

[valhalla]

Originally Posted by JAM

I suppose. I'd like to think the general population is smarter than that tho. Ever been to Allen Pkwy in Houston during rush hour? It doesn't feel so great trying to cross it. This looks worse, considering its I-35.

This reasoning doesn't make any sense. Yea Allen Parkway might be tough to cross, but at least there is a park on the other side to cross to. Do you just not like parks?

[dilliam]

I'm all for the cap and stitch. I for one, like things to ~feel~ nice. I want my walk to be an enjoyable stroll, not a shlep across a 20 lane hellscape. Its pretty straightforward, honestly. It makes the quality of life better and acts as a nice attraction for people in the suburbs or from out of town to interact with the city that is different and family friendly.

[electricron]

Originally Posted by nixcity

^Ever been to Clyde Warren in Dallas? It is not just about looks, wth is it with you guys? Does one just wake up, gleaming with a brand new day of hope in owning the libs or is it truly just the lack of ability to see two sides (or more) of an issue? This opens up acres of real estate that could be used for the public (a la Clyde Warren) or by businesses which could bring in big bucks for our local tax base.

I've been to Klyde Warren Park in Dallas. Lot's of local non government money went into it. The $110 million project was funded through a public-private partnership. Public support included $20 million in bond funds from the City of Dallas, $20 million in highway funds from the state and $16.7 million in Federal stimulus funds. The balance of funding is through individual donors directly to the Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation.
The Foundation donated over $50 Million to fund it.
Math = 110 - 20 - 20 - 16.7 = $53.3 Million.
53.3 / 110 x 100 = 48.5%

[Riverranchdrone]

Originally Posted by electricron

I've been to Klyde Warren Park in Dallas. Lot's of local non government money went into it. The $110 million project was funded through a public-private partnership. Public support included $20 million in bond funds from the City of Dallas, $20 million in highway funds from the state and $16.7 million in Federal stimulus funds. The balance of funding is through individual donors directly to the Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation.
The Foundation donated over $50 Million to fund it.
Math = 110 - 20 - 20 - 16.7 = $53.3 Million.
53.3 / 110 x 100 = 48.5%

That is a great park and what I would love our cap to include. Very easy to get to and brings more of Downtown Dallas together. I dont know why people are complaining about having it hard to get to. You walk accross three stopped lanes of traffic at a simple cross walk. How hard is that? Klyde warren was a park that had everything.

[JollyvilleJ-Rad]

Originally Posted by Riverranchdrone

That is a great park and what I would love our cap to include. Very easy to get to and brings more of Downtown Dallas together. I dont know why people are complaining about having it hard to get to. You walk accross three stopped lanes of traffic at a simple cross walk. How hard is that? Klyde warren was a park that had everything.

Agreed! Knowing that the boulevard concept was never going forward I have hoped for years that some of the caps might resemble Klyde Warren. Besides connecting the fabric of the downtown Arts District and Uptown Dallas with a stunning park, the surrounding areas have built up into a dense and vibrant mixed-use destination. Klyde Warren is as important a cultural institution as anything in the Arts District in my opinion (though I admit I mostly frequent the Meyerson).

As a motorist, my only misgiving is that the contrast in brightness during the day can be blinding when entering or exiting the tunnel, but it is totally worth it. And just like I-35 will be once they finish the rebuild in 10 years, the traffic is absolutely horrendous on Woodall Rogers

[JAM]

Originally Posted by Riverranchdrone

That is a great park and what I would love our cap to include. Very easy to get to and brings more of Downtown Dallas together. I dont know why people are complaining about having it hard to get to. You walk accross three stopped lanes of traffic at a simple cross walk. How hard is that? Klyde warren was a park that had everything.

no one is complaining, that was just some DA looking for an internet argument, mixing words.

I'm stating the goal was to join east/west and make it easier to access either side. right now there are 2 lanes to cross. this will make 3 for a total of 6. that is not easier. not seeing how this joins east/west. its just different, but still divided by roads. ever been hit by a car? will change your mind on what crossing 3 lanes of traffic feels like. lots of twitchy drivers out there, late for something. lots of lost tourists, not paying attention to pedestrians. yes, a park in the middle would be nice, hope we get it.

[sjk]

Originally Posted by JAM

no one is complaining, that was just some DA looking for an internet argument, mixing words.

I'm stating the goal was to join east/west and make it easier to access either side. right now there are 2 lanes to cross. this will make 3 for a total of 6. that is not easier. not seeing how this joins east/west. its just different, but still divided by roads. ever been hit by a car? will change your mind on what crossing 3 lanes of traffic feels like. lots of twitchy drivers out there, late for something. lots of lost tourists, not paying attention to pedestrians. yes, a park in the middle would be nice, hope we get it.

I see your point. I believe the bridge for the Red Line is supposed to have pedestrian paths on at least one side of it (hopefully both). If the caps were connected to that, it could eliminate the need to cross the Frontage Rd lanes. Especially since they are trying to make the 4th St through downtown a main transportation corridor, it would be nice if they make that bridge pedestrian/bike/scooter friendly to help increase safety.

[valhalla]

Originally Posted by JAM

that is not easier. not seeing how this joins east/west.

Replacing a gauntlet of homeless people under an overpass with a park doesn't better connect east/west? Weird take but ok.

[SproutingTowers]

CapMetro purchasing 197 electric buses.

https://www.kvue.com/mobile/article/news...269-ef75c8fe-2562-4f82-a869-9275d282732a

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by SproutingTowers

CapMetro purchasing 197 electric buses.

https://www.kvue.com/mobile/article/news...269-ef75c8fe-2562-4f82-a869-9275d282732a

More details are in this month's board packet.

The base award (what they're purchasing ~soon) is 56 buses. 52 40-footers and four 60-footers.

Then they have 5 separate purchasing options for the additional buses over the next 5 years. Basically, they're replacing existing buses as they wear out (and doing the two new metrorapid routes in 2023).


I do find it a bit interesting that in total it's only 19 60-footers. Which is presumably both the new PV metrorapid (I think that's the one they said was going to use the bendy buses) and replacement on the 801. Seems like there might be gas 801s serving out their useful life on that route still for a while yet.


https://www.capmetro.org/docs/default-so...ber-2021_board-meeting_agenda-packet.pdf

~page 201