REGULAR MEETING of the URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION TUESDAY DECEMBER 3, 2024, at 5:00pm BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM 1101 CITY HALL – 301 W 2nd St. AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Urban Transportation Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation. To register please call or email the staff liaison in advance at (512)-974-3428 or natalie.leone@austintexas.gov no later than noon on Monday December 2, 2024 with the following information: name, item number(s) to speak on, telephone number, and email address. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Heather Buffo - (District 1) Melissa Ortiz-(District 2) Arlin Alvarez-(District 3) Susan Somers, Chair-(District 4) Daniel Kavelman-(District 5) Edward Smith- (District 6) Diana Wheeler- (District 7) Justin Jacobson- (District 8) Spencer Schumacher- (District 9) Ruven Brooks, Vice Chair-(District 10) Deshon Brown- (Mayoral Appointee) AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Urban Transportation Commission REGULAR MEETING on November 12, 2024. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Discussion on CapMetro Rapid Line Update Presenter: Leroy Alloway 3. Discussion on Corridor Projects Status Update Presenter: Eric Bailey DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2020 Regional Transportation Plan Presenter: Cole Kitten Facilitator: Susan Somers Presenter: Laura Dierenfield Facilitator: Spencer Schumacher COMMITTEE UPDATES 4. Discussion and recommendation on Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization 5. Discussion and recommendation on Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative 6. Update from Commissioner Schumacher from the Downtown Commission regarding actions taken at the November 20, 2024 meeting 7. Update from Commissioner Wheeler from the Joint Sustainability Commission regarding actions taken at the November 20, 2024 meeting 8. Update from Commissioner Schumacher from the Bicycle Advisory Council regarding actions taken at the November 19, 2024 meeting 9. Update from Commissioner Kavelman from the Pedestrian Advisory Council regarding actions taken at the November 19, 2024 meeting 10. Update from Chair Somers from the City Council Mobility Committee regarding actions taken at the November 14, 2024 meeting …
CAMPO 2050 REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN (RTP) Urban Transportation Commission December 3, 2024 Agenda • CAMPO Planning Process • 2050 RTP Schedule • Public Outreach Schedule and Opportunities 2 12/2/2024 CAMPO Planning Process 3 Edit footer in footer tab first 12/2/2024 CAMPO Planning Process 4 Edit footer in footer tab first 12/2/2024 2050 RTP Schedule • December 9, 2024 – 1st round Public Comment period closes • December 9, 2024 - TPB Information - review fiscal limit and project list development • December 16, 2024 – TAC Information Item • February – April 2025 - 2nd round of Public Outreach with Draft Plan • March 24, 2025 - TAC Information Item – Final Plan • April 14, 2025 - TPB Information Item – Final Plan • April 28, 2025 - TAC Recommendation – Final Plan • May 12, 2025 - TPB Action – Final Plan (2050 RTP Adoption) 5 12/2/2024 Public Outreach Schedule • October - December 2024 Informing the public about the RTP process • • General outreach asking the public for their needs and values [Survey] • Public meetings in all 6 counties and online • February – April 2025 • Outreach to accompany the draft 2050 RTP • Public meetings in all 6 counties and online • Public Hearing at CAMPO TPB meeting 6 12/2/2024 Public Outreach Opportunities 7 Edit footer in footer tab first 12/2/2024 Public Outreach Opportunities Online Open House: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLujkvvUwiPEjh7E1h1qkUe1URmFMnA2rj Online Survey: bit.ly/CAMPO2050 Email comments to: CAMPO2050RTP@gmail.com Call in comments to: (512) 651-3964 Mail comments to: CAMPO 2050 Team c/o CD&P PO Box 5459 Austin, TX 78763 8 12/2/2024
CapMetro Rapid Updates December 2024 Upcoming New Services MONDAY, JANUARY 13 • Pickup Decker SPRING 2025, PENDING TESTING • Introduction of Rapid 800 Pleasant Valley and Rapid 837 Expo Center Pickup Decker 2 Project Development 3 New CapMetro Rapid Service • $65.60 million grant via FTA's Small Starts Program (~60% Federal Share) • New transit connections, particularly in east Austin • Initial phased service anticipated to begin Spring 2025 with available resources and infrastructure • Full service programmed to be implemented in 2026 Rapid 837 – Expo Center Rapid 800 – Pleasant Valley 4 Rapid 800 and 837 Initial Service Route 800 Temporary End-of-Line • Routes will initially utilize diesel vehicles • Strategic use of battery electric buses (BEBs) • Park and Ride construction is ongoing o Expo Center- 140 spaces o Goodnight Ranch – 65 spaces o Will include end-of-line charging 5 Rapid 800 and 837 Initial Service Route 837 Temporary End-of-Line • Routes will initially utilize diesel vehicles • Strategic use of battery electric buses (BEBs) • Park and Ride construction is ongoing o Expo Center- 140 spaces o Goodnight Ranch – 65 spaces o Will include end-of-line charging 6 Rapid 800 and 837 Initial Service Levels Span Daytime Frequency Late Night Frequency Weekdays 5:00am – 12:30am Saturdays 6:00am -12:00am Sundays 6:00am -11:30pm 5:00am – 10:00pm 10:00pm – 12:30am 20 minutes 30 minutes 6:00am – 8:00pm 8:00pm – 12:00am 20 minutes 30 minutes 6:00am – 7:00pm 7:00pm – 11:30pm 20 minutes 30 minutes The full vision is anticipated in 2026, with the goal of providing 10-15-minute frequency on weekdays, new Park & Rides, and zero-emission vehicles on the lines. 7 Pickup Decker • Connectivity to northeast Austin destinations • First- and last-mile connections • Proposed Rapid 800 and Rapid 837 • Routes 20, 233, 237, and 339 • No current modifications to nearby services • Service: • Weekdays: 7am – 7pm • Saturdays: 10am – 6pm • Partnership with Travis County to plan and operate service 8 Summary of Upcoming New Services MONDAY, JANUARY 13 • Pickup Decker SPRING 2025, PENDING TESTING • Introduction of Rapid 800 Pleasant Valley and Rapid 837 Expo Center 9 Thank you!
CORRIDOR PROGRAM Construction Update Urban Transportation Commission December 3, 2024 Eric Bailey, PE Deputy Director Capital Delivery Services Building the City of Austin in collaboration with the community to enrich the experience of all who live, work, and play here. 1 PROGRAM TIMELINE 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Community Engagement Planning Design Construction City of Austin | Capital Delivery Services Department | One City, One Team, One Approach 2 CORRIDOR MOBILTY PROGRAM OVERVIEW UPCOMING HIGHLIGHTS RESOURCES • Corridor Program Construction Updates 2016 Mobility Bond website (AustinTexas.gov/2016Bond) • What’s New: Mobility Annual Plan, upcoming public engagement opportunities, press releases (AustinTexas.gov/WhatsNew) • 2016 Mobility Bond monthly e-Newsletter Construction Continues on: • Airport Blvd. – N. Lamar Blvd. to 55th St. • Burnet Rd. – Koenig Ln. to White Horse Trl. • Bike/Pedestrian improvements across corridors • Signal and Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons across corridors • William Cannon Drive – Running Water to McKinney Falls Pkwy (CAMPO grant) 2 projects going to bid in next 3 months • Burnet Road – US 183 to Mopac (advertised as 2 segments) • Slaughter Ln – Brodie to Mopac • New IDIQ for bike/ped improvements – will be used for portions of Airport Blvd, Burnet Rd and N Lamar Blvd $255M completed, in construction or awaiting notice to proceed • Bike and Pedestrian improvement projects • Signal and Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon improvement projects • Multi-modal improvement projects $100-130M in leveraged funds • Grants • Private sector development • Partnering with Local Mobility Programs for greater impact • Partnering with Utility departments for dig-once opportunities $146M in spending to Construction in 2025 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Communications work and outreach for the Corridor Program began in 2017. We continue to conduct outreach and respond to inquiries from all stakeholders, including property and business owners, residents, community groups, the traveling public, elected officials, and others. • Community walks • Touch-a-Truck events • Open house events • Office hours • Website updates • Corridor coffee on the couch • Newsletter updates • Business workshops • Planning letters • Meetings with impacted property owners Information has been shared through many channels, including email, mail, social media, news media, presentations, websites, and videos. • Public meetings • Social media • Media advisories • Homeowner/Neighborhood association presentations 5 AIRPORT BLVD Completed • Intersection @ Oak Springs Dr • Intersection @ Gunter St • North Lamar Blvd to 55th In construction …
CONGRESS AVENUE URBAN DESIGN INITIATIVE Urban Transportation Commission Briefing | December 3, 2024 TODAY’S TOPICS • About the CAUDI Vision Plan • Review of the full build scenario (unfunded) • Review of the proposed first phase from Cesar Chavez St. to 11th St. • 100 Block • 200, 300, 400, 600 Blocks • Rebalancing the Avenue • 500 Block • Plaza Concept • Motor Vehicle Access Changes • 700 & 800 Blocks • 900 & 1000 Block OVERVIEW of the VISION PLAN "Congress Avenue, often called the "Main Street of Texas," is one of the most iconic, historic and lively streets in Austin. The Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative (CAUDI) envisions a transformative urban design, placemaking, and implementation strategy for Congress Avenue between Riverside Dr. and 11th St.” “The goal of this effort is to create a multifunctional complete street with a dynamic public realm that contributes to Downtown Austin's evolution as a sustainable mixed- use downtown and supports Austin's identity as a unique and iconic cultural city." FULL BUILD SCENARIO (UNFUNDED) 4 12/2/202 4 5 100 BLOCK 12/2/202 4 6 200 - 600 BLOCK 7 FULL BUILD CROSS SECTION: 200-400 & 600 BLOCKS 8 700 BLOCK 9 FULL BUILD CROSS SECTION: 700 BLOCK 10 FULL BUILD PLAZA CONCEPT: 7th ST. - 11th ST. 11 PROPOSED FIRST PHASE: CESAR CHAVEZ ST. – 11TH ST. Initial funding through the 2020 Mobility Bond Program 12 CROSS SECTION: 100 BLOCK Plan view of the proposed 100 block 13 200, 300, 400, 600 BLOCKS 14 REBALANCING THE AVENUE Funded first phase cross section at the 200, 300, 400 and 600 block. Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding. • Opens a 25-30 feet pedestrian amenity zone on both sides of Congress Avenue • Maintains left turn lanes at Cesar Chavez St., 5th St. and 6th St. • Upgrades bikeway barrier quality and consistency • Maintains ADA accessible parking or relocates it nearby • • Considers contextual factors for maintaining or adding on-street parking where necessary • Impacts 0.27% of existing downtown parking and 1.5% of on-street parking Leverages wayfinding solutions to direct people to available on and off-street parking supply Parking, Wayfinding & Street Patios 15 CROSS SECTION: 500 BLOCK Plan view of the proposed 500 block 16 PLAZA CONCEPT: 7th ST. - 11th ST. 17 MOTOR VEHICLE ACCESS Summary of Changes • Motor vehicle movements would end at 7th St. rather than …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation Number 20241203-005: Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative WHEREAS, Congress Avenue has often been described as the “Main Street of Texas” and a place for commerce, gathering, and community; WHEREAS, initial funding for the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative was allocated as part of the 2020 Mobility Bond Contract with the Voters; WHEREAS, the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative (CAUDI) Vision Plan envisions Congress Avenue as a more human-centered, multimodal, complete street with a public plaza from 7th - 11th Street and a rebalanced complete street from Cesar Chavez - 7th Street; WHEREAS, the Phase 1 Austin Core Transportation Plan Phase I Survey results indicated residents wanted more access to downtown via biking, walking, and scootering, and preferred those modes over carpooling, ridesharing, and driving alone; D R A F T WHEREAS, TxDOT’s traffic counting station between 9th and 10th Street on Congress Ave (227HP5352) observed a 57% decrease in Annual Average Daily Traffic for motor vehicles on the segment from 8,319 in 2015 to 3,539 in 2023; WHEREAS, the Downtown street network is 1% of Austin’s overall network but accounts for 12% of all pedestrian crashes and 17% of intersection-related pedestrian crashes. WHEREAS, the 3rd Street Bike Lane sees an average of 827 bicyclists on weekends (not including traffic on Congress Ave), the highest of any bike traffic counter in Austin; WHEREAS, in Q3 2024, the Congress Ave bridge saw an average of 468 daily scooter trips, accounting for 6.5% of all scooter trips through the city; WHEREAS, the Downtown Austin Alliance found Congress Ave had an average of 12,066 pedestrian trips per day in March 2024; WHEREAS, the CAUBI plan would result in a reduction of only 0.27% of all publicly available downtown parking spaces and 1.5% of all downtown on-street parking spaces; WHEREAS, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Councils, Safe Streets Austin, CNU-CTX, and many other organizations have expressed their general support for the initiative and suggested changes to enhance the design; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Urban Transportation Commission expresses its support for the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative (CAUDI) Vision Plan and urges the City Manager to take all action necessary to ensure full adoption of the plan; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Urban Transportation Commission recommends the City Manager uses this opportunity to fully implement City Council Resolutions No. 20170622-033 and 20091119-070 to implement a Civlovia …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation Number 20241203-005: Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative WHEREAS, Congress Avenue has often been described as the “Main Street of Texas” and a place for commerce, gathering, and community; WHEREAS, initial funding for the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative was allocated as part of the 2020 Mobility Bond Contract with the Voters; WHEREAS, the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative (CAUDI) Vision Plan envisions Congress Avenue as a more human-centered, multimodal, complete street with a public plaza from 7th - 11th Street and a rebalanced complete street from Cesar Chavez - 7th Street; WHEREAS, the Phase 1 Austin Core Transportation Plan Phase I Survey results indicated residents wanted more access to downtown via biking, walking, and scootering, and preferred those modes over carpooling, ridesharing, and driving alone; WHEREAS, TxDOT’s traffic counting station between 9th and 10th Street on Congress Ave (227HP5352) observed a 57% decrease in Annual Average Daily Traffic for motor vehicles on the segment from 8,319 in 2015 to 3,539 in 2023; WHEREAS, the Downtown Austin Alliance found Congress Ave had an average of 12,066 pedestrian trips per day in March 2024; WHEREAS, the 3rd Street Bike Lane sees an average of 827 bicyclists on weekends (not including traffic on Congress Ave), the highest of any bike traffic counter in Austin; WHEREAS, in Q3 2024, the Congress Ave bridge saw an average of 468 daily scooter trips, accounting for 6.5% of all scooter trips through the city; WHEREAS, the Downtown street network is 1% of Austin’s overall network but accounts for 12% of all pedestrian crashes and 17% of intersection-related pedestrian crashes. WHEREAS, the CAUDI plan would result in a reduction of only 0.27% of all publicly available downtown parking spaces and 1.5% of all downtown on-street parking spaces; WHEREAS, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Councils, Safe Streets Austin, CNU-CTX, and many other organizations have expressed their general support for the initiative and suggested changes to enhance the design; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Urban Transportation Commission expresses its support for the Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative (CAUDI) Vision Plan and urges the City Manager to take all action necessary to ensure full adoption of the plan; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Urban Transportation Commission recommends the City Manager uses this opportunity to fully implement City Council Resolutions No. 20170622-033 and 20091119-070 to implement a Civlovia on Congress Avenue as a …
