R/UDAT Austin: A Call to Action

The vision as seen by R/UDAT Austin is to make Downtown a destination rather than a passageway; to encourage pedestrian and transit linkages within the Central Business District; to provide a circulator system between the University and Congress Avenue, between the Convention Center and East Sixth Street, between Downtown and East Austin across IH-35; and between Downtown and Town Lake and creeks in the area.

Short-term goals are:
EXPAND CAPITAL METRO 'DILLO SERVICE	Currently the 'Dillo operates on two routes which connect the Auditorium Shores area with Downtown, Capitol complex, and the southern area of the University campus. A proposal is now under consideration to add a third 'Dillo route in the summer of 1992 which would connect the Auditorium Shores parking areas with the Convention Center and many of the major Downtown hotels and tourist attractions. This route, if approved, would start operation to coincide with the opening of the Convention Center.
LINKAGES WITH EAST AUSTIN	The Texas Department of Transportation is studying the possibility of replacing some of the existing high embankment that carries the main lanes of IH-35 with bridges or a depressed roadway to reduce the visual barrier between the CBD and the area east of IH-35. It is also considering the possibility of extending Third and Fifth streets across IH-35. This extension would allow all streets from Third to Eighth to connect from the CBD to the areas east of the CBD.
STREET CONVERSIONS	The Transportation Subcommittee did a study of the CBD street systems. The following topics were addressed: traffic safety, pedestrian safety, parking conditions, capacity, signal timing, effects on the environment, transit operation, business and physical modifications, and Historic Steam Train Service. Two-way conversions require significant investment of public or private funds. Further study is required prior to the conversion of all one-way streets to two-way flow.
PARKING	A parking management plan is required to ensure that a comprehensive program is in place to meet the needs of the Convention Center, businesses, commercial establishments, office complexes and other purposes provided by the Central Business District. The plan should integrate Capital Metro's fixed routes and extensions, bus service, Downtown transit shuttle ('Dillo) service, future light rail transit service and off-street parking locations (within the core area as well as peripheral areas).
IH-35 COLLECTOR / DISTRIBUTOR SYSTEM	The Texas Department of Transportation is planning, as part of an IH-35 capacity improvement project, to provide much better access and egress from the CBD by providing a collector/distributor roadway and new ramps to the CBD that should perform better than the present configuration. Ramps that connect directly to City streets are one of the most important features of the design concept. This type of ramp requires a one-way street at its terminus to function properly. Connection to a two-way configuration would reduce capacity to an unacceptable level. The position of the Texas Department of Transportation is that Downtown cannot afford to lose capacity on the CBD streets.
TRINITY STREET SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS	Provide sidewalk improvements and "Texas Walk of Stars" on Trinity Street from south of First Street to the alley south of East Sixth Street. Improvements on First Street from Trinity to Red River on the south side will include the replacement of sidewalks, installation of trees, irrigation utility adjustments, pedestrian lighting and planting beds. Construction dates are October 1991 to July 1992. The original project included Second Street from Trinity to Brazos and First Street on the north side from Trinity to San Jacinto. An additional $700,000 is required to complete the work originally envisioned.
CONGRESS AVE. IMPROVEMENTS 200 BLOCK	The design phase of this project has begun. Construction will start in January 1993. The Real Estate Division is working with property owners regarding driveway access, easements and vacating right-of-way. Some of the money required is available through bonds.
EAST SIXTH STREET - PHASE I	Construction has begun on the beautification of East Sixth Street. This project includes widening sidewalks at some intersections, resurfacing walks with pavers, improved handicapped accessibility, providing sign standards, removal of trees and landscape furniture, landscaping and other enhancements. The conversion of Sixth Street to two-way traffic is also a part of this project. Construction dates are November 1991-July 1992.
LIGHT RAIL / HISTORIC TROLLEY SERVICE	Capital Metro is currently analyzing the feasibility of an electrically powered light rail transit system in the north central area of the city. Two alternative alignments in the Downtown area are being examined. If deemed feasible, a light rail could be in operation as early as 1996. Historic trolley service could operate as a Downtown circulator and provide the linkage of the Downtown/Convention Center to the Capitol, the University of Texas and to the retail areas east and west of Congress Avenue.
Long-term goals are:
HISTORIC STEAM TRAIN SERVICE	The Austin Steam Train Association, Capital Metro and the City of Austin are currently negotiating an operating agreement which would allow the Steam Train Association to operate an historic steam train service on the old Southern Pacific Railroad main line.
EAST-WEST DOWNTOWN HIGHWAY	Improved access to and from Downtown is required. A highway across Downtown connecting IH-35 to Loop 1 is not compatible with the vision of R/UDAT. Modification to the IH-35 highway ramps will improve the safety and flow on the east. Traffic flow to and from the west to Downtown is a major problem. Improvements on West First, West Fifth and West Sixth streets or other west end streets are inconsistent with the existing quality of living and activities. The Third Street Gateway/Parkway proposal, consisting of space for moving automobiles and transit vehicles, provides an alternative for accessibility needed for Downtown demands, including the Convention Center.