AUSTIN | Transportation Updates

[AustinInAustin]

Progress on the Longhorn Dam Bridge

[gillynova]

^^ Saw them do a lot of work there last weekend!

[gillynova]

Oak Hill Parkway update:

[Urbannizer]

Congress Ave Improvements

https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=441834

[ski-man]

Originally Posted by Urbannizer

Congress Ave Improvements

https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=441834

Would look very nice if/when it happens. Similar to Denver's Downtown 16th Street Mall.

[drummer]

I like it.

[WestAustinite]

Originally Posted by Urbannizer

Congress Ave Improvements

https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=441834

But do they have funding in place?

I am skeptical about the City's ability to actually get projects like this done. I like it but also recall that the COA has been talking about rebuilding Dirty 6th for 15+ years with various surveys and plans announced over time. I hope they do this but will believe it when I see it.

[Mopacs]

I always enjoy driving up congress right up to the Capitol grounds, with the building front and center. I'd kind of miss that.

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by WestAustinite

But do they have funding in place?

I am skeptical about the City's ability to actually get projects like this done. I like it but also recall that the COA has been talking about rebuilding Dirty 6th for 15+ years with various surveys and plans announced over time. I hope they do this but will believe it when I see it.

they have funding for some blocks, not all (and the plans call out which is which).

Funding was included in the 2020 bond. Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative was one of the 5 areas included in the "Major Capital Improvements: $102 million"

https://www.austintexas.gov/2020PropB

[Lobotomizer]

Originally Posted by WestAustinite

But do they have funding in place?

I am skeptical about the City's ability to actually get projects like this done. I like it but also recall that the COA has been talking about rebuilding Dirty 6th for 15+ years with various surveys and plans announced over time. I hope they do this but will believe it when I see it.

I concur. You're right about 6th St., and then there's Cesar Chavez west of Colorado, Pleasant Valley south of Oltorf, Rundberg west of Metric, and billions of dollars of other projects approved by voters in bond elections which seemingly never move forward.

The city of Austin is absolutely horrendous in regards to actually getting road projects built. Talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, but nothing ever gets done.

[OfficialPBreton]

Originally Posted by Mopacs

I always enjoy driving up congress right up to the Capitol grounds, with the building front and center. I'd kind of miss that.

Hopefully soon you could bike it without the fear of being hit by a car

[Urbannizer]

Pleasant Valley Pedestrian Tunnel

[Sigaven]

Originally Posted by Urbannizer

Congress Ave Improvements

https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=441834

I feel like in order for this to be successful there needs to be a lot more retail on Congress. There's not much other than some restaurants that make it a destination.

[AusTex]

These plan for Congress Avenue, Austin Texas 2024 are really 1970's ideas that will Kill Congress Avenue between 7th to 11th Streets. Really regressive and delayed development by the planning folk.

[freerover]

Originally Posted by AusTex

These plan for Congress Avenue, Austin Texas 2024 are really 1970's ideas that will Kill Congress Avenue between 7th to 11th Streets. Really regressive and delayed development by the planning folk.

um, what? What is there to kill? It's going to bring life to the area and open up opportunities for more free community events.

[Maximusx1]

Originally Posted by AusTex

These plan for Congress Avenue, Austin Texas 2024 are really 1970's ideas that will Kill Congress Avenue between 7th to 11th Streets. Really regressive and delayed development by the planning folk.

I agree with you. I hate this idea.

[WesternSon]

It is going to create a huge dead zone that will only be used by homeless and the occasional futile protest.

[chinchaaa]

It’s going to be great. People here have no vision.

[AusTex]

People Want to feel safe in any situation. This section of Congress needs auto traffic (maybe just one lane in each direction with a center turn lane and parallel parking) for people to feel safe after dark. The constant "Traffic" allows people to feel that other people are around. A "Pedestrian Only" avenue of that width, extending Four blocks to a Dead End at the Capitol will feel very "Unsafe" especially at night.

Keep one lane in each direction with a center left turn lane, and parallel parking on both sides. Close the curb less center for festivals/protests/whatever. Add more sidewalk and private dining space by the buildings.

Or the opposite as is "La Rambla" in Barcelona. Traffic on the sides.

A Boulevard as wide a Congress Avenue is TOO wide to Not have some auto traffic on it for the average person to "Feel Safe." Especially as it Dead Ends at the Capitol. This plan is OLD thought that has been proven to Deaden the area for most places it has be implemented in since the 1970's. "People here have no vision" as was just stated. Well I hope we have more historical intelligence!

[WesternSon]

Originally Posted by chinchaaa

It’s going to be great. People here have no vision.

It is gonna be Denver's 16th Street Mall... without the businesses.