Recommendation 20260121-008: Two-Way Street Conversions in Downtown Austin — original pdf

Recommendation

RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Downtown Commission Recommendation No. 20260121-008: Two-Way Street Conversions in Downtown Austin WHEREAS, the Downtown Commission was created to guide the development of downtown; and WHEREAS, the development of downtown is critical to the wellbeing of Austin; and WHEREAS, the residents of downtown look to the Downtown Commission to safeguard their interests; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin adopted the Vision Zero Plan in 2015 with a goal to reduce the number of people hurt or killed by traffic crashes to zero; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin adopted the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan in 2019 with a goal to reduce solo driving to 50% by 2039; and WHEREAS, one-way streets prioritize moving vehicles as fast as possible thereby encouraging drivers to speed in high pedestrian areas; and WHEREAS, two-way streets prioritize a more comfortable, walkable environment and driver safety, livability, accessibility, and economic vitality by encouraging slower traffic, reducing driver aggression, improving navigation, increasing business visibility, and creating better environments for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users; and WHEREAS, the total width of the right-of-way is fixed regardless of traffic direction. While a one-way street might avoid dedicated left-turn lanes, this space is often just absorbed by additional travel lanes that prioritize vehicle throughput over more flexible uses like outdoor dining, wider sidewalks, or green space; and WHEREAS, lane allocation on one-way streets often compromises public transit by forcing split routes, where inbound and outbound buses must use different streets. This adds complexity for riders and increases walking distances to stops, which is less flexible for a comprehensive transit network than a two-way street that supports bidirectional service on a single corridor; and WHEREAS, two-way streets are more intuitive for visitors and infrequent users, reducing the likelihood of missed turns and the dangerous "last-second" maneuvers often seen on one-way grids; and WHEREAS, two-way streets provide emergency vehicles with more direct routes to specific addresses, potentially lowering response times compared to one-way systems that may require a fire truck or ambulance to go around an entire block; and WHEREAS, one-way street networks often force drivers to take circuitous routes to reach their destination, while two-way streets allow for more direct routes, reducing fuel consumption and idling time; and WHEREAS, in the past, one-way streets were often seen to allow a greater number of cars passing through per hour because they lack oncoming traffic and left-turn maneuvers, planners today can use micro-simulation software to analyze the entire grid network and adjust all streets as needed to maximize efficiency; and WHEREAS, while traffic on some individual streets may slow down, the overall network often becomes more efficient because drivers can take more direct routes, reducing the total Vehicle Miles Traveled; and WHEREAS, two-way street conversions have already proven to be successful in Austin when Cesar Chavez Street was converted in 1992 & 2008; Brazos Street in 2015; 5th Street in 2017; Colorado Street in 2018; and 16th, 17th, & 18th Streets in 2019; and WHEREAS, 2nd Street in Austin was converted back to two-ways and is now often cited as the best street downtown, attracting popular retail and restaurants for its pedestrian friendly design. NOW THEREFORE; the City of Austin Downtown Commission recommends that City Council direct the City Manager to revise the Austin Core Transportation Plan to convert all one-way streets downtown into two-way streets, including 6th Street. Date of Approval: January 21, 2026 Motioned By: Vice Chair Levinson Seconded By: Commissioner Carroll Vote: 9-0 For: Chair Ishmael, Vice Chair Levinson, Commissioners Buchta, Carroll, Coufal, McDaniel, Peveto, Shifferd, and Wiley Against: None Abstain: None Off the dais: None Absent: Commissioner Pollak Attest: Christi Vitela Staff Liaison