West 31st Street/Shoal Creek Boulevard (Lamar Boulevard to 34th Street)
Austin Transportation is evaluating West 31st Street/Shoal Creek Boulevard between Lamar Boulevard and 34th Street.
Project overview
Austin Public Works' Urban Trails Program, the Watershed Protection Department, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department and Austin Transportation's Active Transportation and Street Design Division are partnering to address connectivity gaps along the Shoal Creek Trail between 24th Street and 34th Street, including the gap between Lamar Boulevard and 34th Street.
Currently, the Shoal Creek Trail ends at 31st Street, where trail users must walk or bike along 31st Street. A nature trail reconnects near Wabash Avenue, but the segment of trail from Wabash to 34th Street includes steep grades and a low water crossing.
To create a route that is accessible for all ages and abilities, the project team is evaluating options to provide a safe and continuous route for people walking and biking between Lamar Boulevard and 34th Street.
Learn more about the Shoal Creek Trail connectivity gaps.
Project updates
November 2021
Modifications
to the existing pilot project are now complete and the project team is
presently evaluating options to address gaps in the Shoal Creek Trail in three
locations, including this one. Sections currently being studied include:
- 24th Street to 2800 Shoal Creek Boulevard
- 29th Street to 31st Street
- Lamar Boulevard to 34th Street
The
pilot configuration along W. 31st and Shoal Creek Boulevard between
Lamar Boulevard and 34th Street is expected to remain in place
through early 2022. Options for addressing the gaps in the Shoal Creek Trail
between 24th Street and 34th Street will be presented to
the community in early Spring 2022.
August 2021
In response to community feedback, the project team will modify and extend the West 31st Street/Shoal Creek Boulevard pilot project through 2021 and continue to evaluate potential permanent solutions for the Shoal Creek Trail gap between Lamar Boulevard and 34th Street. Planned modifications to the original pilot project setup include:
- Upgrading the temporary, in-street shared use path's boundary from cones to flexible bollards and concrete buttons to better define the path, increase comfort for path users and address operational needs including school bus access, mail and trash service.
- Modifying locations of on-street parking spaces to optimize visibility and improve the two-way yield flow for motor vehicle traffic.
Modifications to the existing pilot will be installed the week of August 16 and are expected to be in place through the remainder of 2021. Austin Transportation will host a community conversation later this year to gather feedback on the modified pilot and present permanent options for connecting the Shoal Creek Trail gap between Lamar Boulevard and 34th Street.
April 2021
In response to community feedback, the project team identified a new preferred design for West 31st Street/Shoal Creek Boulevard between West 34th Street and Lamar Boulevard, which included:
- An in-street shared use path protected with flex posts on the south side of the street
- A continuous, off-street trail connection north of the St. Andrew's Episcopal School's southern driveway loop entrance
- Two-way motor vehicle traffic
- 15 mph advisory speed signs
- Maintaining most parking on the north side of the street
To demonstrate and observe how the proposed design would work on the ground, Austin Transportation conducted a pilot project during May-July 2021. Staff deployed markings, cones and signage to create a temporary, in-street shared use path on the south side of the street. They actively monitored the pilot to observe key metrics of success, such as slower motor vehicle speeds and safe yielding behaviors, and made adjustments as needed based on community feedback.
This public comment period closed on July 2, 2021.
November 2020
In response to community feedback, the project team updated the proposed North University-Heritage-Rosedale Neighborhood Bikeways project design and held a virtual open house to solicit community input. The updated design included two options for West 31st Street/Shoal Creek Boulevard:
- Option 1: Maintain parking on the north side of the street + convert West 31st Street to one-way westbound only for motor vehicles.
- Option 2: Maintain two-way access for motor vehicles + restrict parking on the north and south sides of the street.
This public comment period closed on December 20, 2020.
January 2020
As part of the North University-Heritage-Rosedale Neighborhood Bikeways project, Austin Transportation hosted an open house for community members to review preliminary designs for a proposed neighborhood bikeway route between West 41st Street, Shoal Creek Boulevard, West 29th Street and Speedway. The designs included three options for West 31st Street/Shoal Creek Boulevard.
This public comment period closed on March 1, 2020.
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Contact
For questions about the project, please email the 2016 Mobility Bond team.
For media inquiries, call 512-974-8000.