The Austin Transportation and Public Works Department (TPW) is carrying out safety improvements to Barton Springs Road between Stratford Drive and South Lamar Boulevard in a 12-month pilot beginning in fall 2023.

In February 2024, the project team gathered data to analyze pilot operations and conducted a public survey to understand how people’s experiences of the street.  The operational data includes speed data, traffic volumes, and crash history along the project limits. The feedback survey received 1,643 responses. These quantitative and qualitative data points provide a holistic view into the project’s impact on the ground.

The project team sought initial 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 moved 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 to 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 safety improvements are 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.

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.