Austin Receives $10.5 Million for Pedestrian Safety Improvements
The city of Austin has received a grant of $10.5 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety across the area. This funding, announced on September 5, will be primarily used to implement various safety treatments, including pedestrian hybrid beacons, crossing islands, and curb extensions at nearly 50 locations throughout Austin.
Addressing Safety Concerns
Officials emphasize that these upgrades are crucial for reducing the number of fatal injuries and collisions involving pedestrians. Laura Dierenfield, manager of the Transportation and Public Works department in Austin, highlighted the need for better pedestrian infrastructure by saying, “Some of our crossing distances are honestly miles apart, so that’s just unacceptable in terms of expecting someone to go that far across the street.” This statement underlines a pressing issue: the need for the city to efficiently address the gaps in pedestrian access.
Dierenfield also mentioned that their team is currently evaluating potential locations where pedestrian crossings could be prioritized. To inform these decisions, they have been using community feedback from the Sidewalks, Crossings and Shared Streets Plan and looking at high-injury network corridors from Austin’s Vision Zero plan. “The plan is really heavily weighted towards being more equitable citywide,” Dierenfield stated, hinting at a focus on improving safety in neighborhoods that have not historically received the same level of improvements.
Focusing on High-Injury Areas
Chito Vela, the District 4 Council Member, pointed out that various streets and intersections with high pedestrian injury rates are located in his district. Streets like North Lamar Boulevard and Cameron Road are set to receive significant portions of the funding. “The problem is that for years we built streets with just cars in mind, and now we’re having to go back and fix a lot of those streets,” Vela explained. He added that the improvements will include adding sidewalks, bike lanes, and even better lighting, all aimed at creating a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists.
Austin’s Walkability Challenges
While Austin ranks as the 30th most walkable large city in the United States, according to Walk Score, experts suggest there is still much to be done. Steven Pedigo, director of the LBJ Urban Lab, remarked that “Austin as a whole is not a very pedestrian-friendly city.” He emphasized that for many residents to consider walking instead of driving, the city needs to feel safer. “That requires investments in bike infrastructures, ensuring that when you’re out walking around in the city, there’s sidewalks, and that there’s protection between you and the automobiles,” Pedigo stated.
Mixed Feelings Among Residents
Students and residents also shared their thoughts about the walking and biking infrastructure in Austin. Rasa Ghaffaripour, an advertising junior who bikes to nearly all his classes, noted that some areas of the city feel safer than others. He pointed out, “They could definitely be improved in consistency. Sometimes you’ll have bike lanes where they have the little white poles on the side to block you from the cars, and then sometimes the bike lanes are just a little white line, and they’ll disappear sometimes.”
Looking Ahead
As Austin moves forward with these safety improvements, the focus remains on making the city more accessible for all modes of transportation. The funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation is just the beginning of what officials hope will be a comprehensive plan to create a safer and more pedestrian-friendly environment in Austin.
