AUSTIN | Transportation Updates

[H2O]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

My main reason I prefer expressways without access roads is they tend to be more scenic. Highways with access roads don't look as nice, more to the point they look cluttered. There are ways, such as leaving some space between neighborhoods and the expressway where trees and other landscaping areas can be placed to separate the two. I can't think of any specific examples, however I have seen areas like that. Of course if the neighborhood is already existing or there is limited space, that is where you get the sound walls which detract from the scenery. Having said that, Mopac still looks nicer because the trees from the neighborhoods line the sides for the most part.

I just got back from Missouri. Their urban freeways are built more like Mopac, with extra wide right of ways that are mostly wooded - true parkways. Definitely more scenic, and I think they perform better traffic wise. The downside is that neighborhoods either side are even more separated than here. The less frequent entrances, exits and bridges across the freeways make the surrounding areas less bike and pedestrian friendly, more disconnected and as a result more auto dependent.

The alternative to the two is a sort of hybrid that TxDOT briefly floated about 25 years ago that they referred to as 'backage' roads. Instead of highway service roads lining the freeway, urban arterials within a 1/4 mile or so of the freeways would parallel the freeways and connect to entrances, exits and bridges across the freeway. These 'backage' roads would be lined with commercial uses and could be made much more pedestrian and bike friendly with wide tree lined sidewalks and protected bikeways. Continuous trails could also be built along the freeway right of ways within the wooded parkway sections. I wish that idea was not attacked and denigrated is typical Texas conservative reactionary style.

[drummer]

I will say that I've noticed more attempts at planting trees/shrubs/native grasses, etc., near interchanges and such. Georgetown, for example, has a lot of growth around the 130 and 35 interchange that will develop nicely over the years...could still be better, but it's not just grass only. But I always like expressways surrounded by true greenery to our highways with access roads.

[drummer]

https://www.kxan.com/news/texas/publ...of-texas-rail/

Public input wanted on the future of Texas Rail
by: Erica Brennes
Posted: Aug 19, 2024 / 08:37 AM CDT
Updated: Aug 19, 2024 / 08:37 AM CDT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — There will be a 2024 Texas Rail Plan virtual meeting on Monday from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Officials will discuss the latest priorities of the 2024 Texas Rail Plan and go over the federal funding eligibility requirements.

TxDOT link from the article:
https://www.txdot.gov/projects/proje...an-update.html

[Tyrone Shoes]

never mind

[gillynova]

Originally Posted by Tyrone Shoes

never mind

^ I just watched the YouTube video of that today too haha

[ATX2030]

Class action lawsuit targets Austin taxes over Project Connect

KUT 90.5 | By Nathan Bernier
Published August 28, 2024 at 5:03 AM CDT

https://www.kut.org/transportation/2...tin&stream=top

...A new class-action lawsuit is seeking to block the city from collecting any property taxes, potentially starving Austin's municipal government of almost all revenue, until it kills a tax approved by voters in 2020 to fund the largest public transit expansion in Central Texas history.

The lawsuit is being brought by some of the same taxpayers who filed an earlier challenge to the transit plan known as Project Connect. The previous suit — targeting the funding mechanism for borrowing billions to build a light-rail starter system — is now frozen while the state's Third Court of Appeals considers arguments.

The new suit was filed late Monday in the 126th Travis County District Court. It claims the city's property tax rate was miscalculated because it includes the Project Connect tax, which is generating revenue for transit projects including a light-rail plan whose initial scope reduced from 20.2 miles to 9.8-miles.....

[Jdawgboy]

Do these idiots (who are no doubt are rich) know any concept of how government works when it comes to collecting taxes to fund and build infrastructure for it's citizens. These people are idiots and I say let's de-annex their area out of the city and be done with it, because they obviously do not care at all about our community or it's needs.

[ATX2030]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

Do these idiots (who are no doubt are rich) know any concept of how government works when it comes to collecting taxes to fund and build infrastructure for it's citizens. These people are idiots and I say let's de-annex their area out of the city and be done with it, because they obviously do not care at all about our community or it's needs.

It’s very frustrating. Hopefully we have some sort of a resolution before the end of the year either way.

[SproutingTowers]

Driving on US 290/SH 71 from Wm Cannon to the Y in Oak Hill.

[gillynova]

Makes me claustrophobic tbh

[zrx299]

Genuinely curious why TxDOT is repaving the lower decks and frontage roads on 35 right now. Isn't all of this about to be ripped up? You could make a case that some of the lower deck spots needed attention, but a full repaving seems wildly unnecessary and the frontage road are perfectly fine, yet they're all being repaved. Is there zero fiscal accountability at this bloated agency?

Looks like nothing more than money laundering and skimming.

[futuresooner]

Originally Posted by zrx299

Genuinely curious why TxDOT is repaving the lower decks and frontage roads on 35 right now. Isn't all of this about to be ripped up? You could make a case that some of the lower deck spots needed attention, but a full repaving seems wildly unnecessary and the frontage road are perfectly fine, yet they're all being repaved. Is there zero fiscal accountability at this bloated agency?

Looks like nothing more than money laundering and skimming.

I remember seeing a statement from TXDOT Austin about that and it's the fact much of that section of the project is at minimum 3 years away and they have to maintain. I do understand that and better to do now and patch before big work kickoff vs dealing with city street-style pavement on I-35.

[Urbannizer]

Wishbone Bridge

https://x.com/marshallgeyer/status/1...KAMHVCgfx518rg

[WestAustinite]

Originally Posted by Urbannizer

Wishbone Bridge

https://x.com/marshallgeyer/status/1...KAMHVCgfx518rg

Love this project but I feel like that peninsula (where they removed the old bridge and is now a 1/2 mile dead end strip of landing with water on both sides) will be become drug dealing/homeless central pretty quickly.

[Jdawgboy]

Originally Posted by WestAustinite

Love this project but I feel like that peninsula (where they removed the old bridge and is now a 1/2 mile dead end strip of landing with water on both sides) will be become drug dealing/homeless central pretty quickly.

That will open back up to the new bridge but hopefully they are keeping it patrolled while it's being built.

[AustinInAustin]

Originally Posted by WestAustinite

Love this project but I feel like that peninsula (where they removed the old bridge and is now a 1/2 mile dead end strip of landing with water on both sides) will be become drug dealing/homeless central pretty quickly.

The whole peninsula is blocked off for the construction site so I'd hope not.

[gillynova]

This might be random but does anyone know a contact where I can give feedback on a spot that desperately NEEDS a roundabout? (South Austin)

[wwmiv]

Originally Posted by gillynova

This might be random but does anyone know a contact where I can give feedback on a spot that desperately NEEDS a roundabout? (South Austin)

Why don’t we start a thread?

[drummer]

^^ I believe SSP has become the de facto development feedback form for the City of Austin.

[gillynova]

^^ do they really look here? Haha

--
Also, I've been noticing that they're reworking/repaving/painting a lot of roads in downtown (Mainly west of the convention center). Props to the city!