The Austin Transportation and Public Works Department (TPW) is bringing safety improvements to Barton Springs Road between Stratford Drive and South Lamar Boulevard that will be carried out in a 12-month pilot.

The project team sought community feedback in June 2023 on the safety pilot design. The team analyzed all 1,630 responses to understand how people use the street and what safety and mobility outcomes they desire from the pilot.

After reviewing feedback, the project team modified the pilot design and is moving the project forward to implementation the week of July 17, 2023.

Austin is a Vision Zero city, committed through multiple policy actions to achieving zero traffic-related fatalities or serious injuries. TPW evaluated Barton Springs Road between Stratford Drive and South Lamar Boulevard for proposed safety and mobility improvements that will be carried out in a 12-month pilot project. Identified improvements include a reconfiguration of lanes from Lou Neff Road to South Lamar Boulevard to calm vehicle speeds and reduce the likelihood of severe crashes, enhanced and physically separated bicycle lanes, sidewalks connecting Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-accessible pedestrian routes through Zilker Park and upgraded transit stops.

Recognizing the corridor’s east-west connection between MoPac and South Lamar Boulevard, the proposed design is expected to maintain motor vehicle capacity while improving safety for all users of the street and access for people walking, rolling, and taking transit.

These proposed safety improvements will be funded primarily with the 2020 Safety and Active Transportation Bond with other bond programs contributing and address safety and comfort for people who travel on Barton Springs Road by walking, rolling, driving and other modes.

View the virtual open house from June 2023.

Austin Transportation and Public Works (TPW) staff have had regular communications with the project management teams of the Zilker Park Vision Plan and Barton Springs Road Bridge project, which have been two related, but independent, initiatives. While there is geographic overlap and shared goals between the three initiatives, each stands alone in their respective processes.

The planning process for the Zilker Park Vision Plan was halted in August 2023. The Safety Pilot is a separate initiative for transportation safety on Barton Springs Road. Operational and safety analysis for the Safety Pilot covered the section of Barton Springs Road from Lou Neff Road to South Lamar Boulevard. This is not the future operational traffic analysis that was referenced in the draft Zilker Park Vision Plan as it relates to the section of Barton Springs from MoPac to Lou Neff Road.

The Barton Springs Road Bridge design process is in its preliminary phase and construction funding has yet to be identified for the bridge, so the safety pilot project will provide the necessary improvements to enhance safe, multimodal access over the bridge for the near-term future.

For more information, email MobilityBonds@austintexas.gov or call (512) 974-2300 and leave a message.