Lance Armstrong Bikeway

CIP 8950-607-1680 and 8780-607-2141

Summary

In 1999, local bicycle activist Eric Anderson brought an idea to the City's bicycle program staff for a bicycle route that would enable a citizen to travel from the east side of Austin to the west side, through downtown, by bicycle. Bike program staff approved the idea, and after some field work and calculations, fashioned the idea into a project Anderson had named the Cross Town Bikeway. Staff put together an application for the statewide Transportation Enhancements Program and were told in January 2000 by the Texas Transportation Commission that the project was selected to receive $1.9 million in federal funds.

This project will provide a continuous bike route for over 6 miles, beginning at Levander Loop at US 183, following 5th Street, passing through downtown along 4th and 3rd streets, and terminating near Deep Eddy pool just west of Mopac. The project will include both separated, paved bicycle path and bike lanes on city streets. The route is needed to provide non-motorized access to and through downtown, on bike facilities that are free of both cars, parked cars and crowds of joggers (as is the case of the Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail which is a recreational facility).

Status

The City Council authorized to begin negotiations with Wilbur Smith Associates for preliminary design and construction services in December 2000. Preliminary design is expected to be completed in September 2001, with design completion to follow in September 2002.

Issues

Federal TEA-21 Transportation Enhancements funding ($1,966,481) has been approved, with a 38% local match of $1,220,746.

Basic Data