Austin approves release of funds for mobility projects

Source: Smart Cities World Published: March 8th, 2021

Austin City Council has approved the release of $460m funds earmarked for local mobility projects across the Texan city.

The release of funds from the 2020 Active Transportation and Safety Bond will allow Austin Transportation and Austin Public Works to hire the initial staff necessary to begin work on the programme.

Capital improvements

The Longhorn Dam bicycle and pedestrian bridge intended to increase safety on Pleasant Valley Road and link trails and parks in the locality is one of the projects slated to begin presently under $102m worth of capital improvements.

“Over the past three election cycles, Austin voters have said loud and clear that transportation safety and mobility improvements are a major priority for them,” said Gina Fiandaca, assistant city manager over mobility.

“We know the importance of bringing these enhancements to fruition as quickly as possible, in partnership with our community. Throughout the next six years, we will ensure projects are designed to meet current and future mobility needs, and they are delivered in an equitable manner across the city.”

Projects funded by this proposition include:

• $102m: major capital improvements

• $80m: sidewalks

• $80m: urban trails

  $65m: safety/vision zero

• $53m: substandard streets

• $40m: bikeways

• $20m: safe routes to school

• $19m: local transit enhancement

• $1m: neighbourhood partnering programme.

The projects are in addition to the $160m in funds approved in November 2018 and $720m approved in November 2016. According to the council, all three rounds of funding work hand-in-hand to ensure seamless connectivity improvements from Austin’s busiest roads to neighbourhood streets and points in-between.

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