REGULAR MEETING OF THE URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION TUESDAY APRIL 1, 2025, AT 5:00 PM AUSTIN ENERGY HEADQUARTERS ASSEMBLY ROOM 4815 MUELLER BLVD. 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)-974-3593 or meredith.rusin@austintexas.gov no later than noon on Monday March 3, 2025, with the following information: name, item number(s) to speak on, telephone number, and email address. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Heather Buffo - (District 1) Vacant – (District 2) Arlin Alvarez-(District 3) Susan Somers, Chair-(District 4) Daniel Kavelman-(District 5) Vacant- (District 6) AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Varun Prasad- (District 7) Justin Jacobson- (District 8) Spencer Schumacher- (District 9) Ruven Brooks, Vice Chair-(District 10) Deshon Brown- (Mayoral Appointee) 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 March 4, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Discussion regarding the 2016 Bond Corridor Construction Update. Presenters: Eric Bailey, Capital Delivery Services DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Discussion and approval of a recommendation on the CAMPO 2050 Regional Transportation Plan. Presenter: Cole Kitten, Transportation and Public Works Department Facilitator: Susan Somers 4. Discussion and approval of a Right of Way Vacation for 6400 ½ Burleson Road. Presenter: Christopher Bueckert, Transportation and Public Works Department 5. Discussion and approval of a Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget recommendation from the 6. Discussion and possible action regarding officer appointments to the Urban 7. Discussion and possible action regarding an appointment to the Joint Sustainability Urban Transportation Commission. Facilitator: Susan Somers Transportation Commission. Facilitator: Susan Somers Committee (one vacancy). Facilitator: Susan Somers COMMITTEE UPDATES 8. Update from Commissioner Schumacher from the Downtown Commission regarding actions taken at the March 19, 2025, meeting. 9. Update from Commissioner Schumacher from the Bicycle Advisory Council regarding actions taken at the March 18, 2025, meeting. 10. …
URBAN TRANSPORTATION MEETING MINUTES URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, March 4, 2025 The Urban Transportation Commission convened in a REGULAR meeting on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room 1101, Austin, Texas. Chair Somers called the Urban Transportation Commission Meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Susan Somers, Chair Ruven Brooks, Vice Chair Daniel Kavelman Spencer Schumacher Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Diana Wheeler Deshon Brown Justin Jacobson PUBLIC COMMUNICATION Larry Akers APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on February 4, 2025. The minutes from the meeting of 2/4/2025 were approved on Commissioner Schumacher’s motion, Commissioner Somer’s second on a 7-0 vote; Commissioners Smith & Buffo absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Discussion regarding guiding principles for the 2026 Bond. The commission received a presentation from Michelle Marx, of the Transportation and Public Works Department. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Discussion and approval of a recommendation on the Austin Core Transportation Plan. Public Speaker – Adam Greenfield with Safe Streets Austin 1 DRAFT URBAN TRANSPORTATION MEETING MINUTES (Tuesday, September 3, 2024) The commission received a presentation from Cole Kitten, of the Transportation and Public Works Department. Commissioner Kavelman moved to approve the recommendation and Chair Somers seconded the motion. Amendment 1: Chair Somers moved to amend the recommendation to add a first Be It Resolved that reads, “Now, Therefore Be It Resolved, that the Urban Transportation Commission recommends that Austin City Council adopt the Austin Core Transportation Plan with some potential revisions,” and Commissioner Wheeler seconded the motion. The motion was approved on a 7-0 vote with Commissioner Buffo and Commissioner Smith absent. Amendment 2: Commissioner Schumacher makes a motion to strike the 3rd Be It Resolved (originally the 2nd Be It Resolved) and add the following: Be It Further Resolved, that the UTC recommends the ACT plan continue the protected bike lane on Red River Street from 7th Street to 12th Street, as contemplated by the 2023 Bicycle Plan and the active project listed in the 2025 Local Mobility Annual Plan, to ensure a continuous protected bicycle facility that connects with the protected bike lanes on Robert Dedman Drive; and”. Commissioner Kavelman seconded the motion, and the motion was approved on a 7-0 vote with Commissioner Buffo and Commissioner Smith absent. Amendment 3: Commissioner Shumacher makes a motion to amend the 6th Whereas …
CORRIDOR PROGRAM Construction Update Urban Transportation Commission April 1, 2025 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 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 UPCOMING HIGHLIGHTS Construction Complete on: • Burnet AE Drainage ($14M) Construction Continues on: • Airport Blvd. – N. Lamar Blvd. to 55th St. • Bike/Pedestrian improvements across corridors • Signal and Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons across corridors • William Cannon Drive – Running Water to McKinney Falls Pkwy (CAMPO grant) Upcoming Bids: • US 183 to Bright Verde Way – April 2025 ($17M) • White Horse Trail to US 183 (IDIQ) – May 2025 ($15M) • Bright Verde Way to Loop 1 – May 2025 ($29M) Recently Awarded: • Slaughter – Mopac to Brodie ($13M) $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 to Construction in 2025 AIRPORT BLVD Completed • Intersection @ Oak Springs Dr • Intersection @ Gunter St • North Lamar Blvd to 55th • Intersection @ E 40th St • Intersection @ Harvey St In construction • 55th St to 45th St Construction upcoming • E. MLK Blvd to Mokan Trail Bridge • Mokan Trail Bridge to US 183 • 45th St to E. MLK Blvd 5 N LAMAR BLVD Completed • Signal @ West Grady Dr • Signal @ Cooper Dr • Signal @ Fairfield Dr • Signal @ Powell Ln Construction upcoming • North of Parmer Ln to Howard Ln • Howard Ln Contraflow Bus Lane • US 183 to south of Rundberg Ln • Braker Ln to south of Parmer Ln • Fill Sidewalk Gaps from Rundberg to Parmer 6 BURNET RD Completed • Koenig Ln to White Horse …
A STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY VACATION APPLICATION OF BURLESON ROAD ABUTTING 6400-1/2 BURLESON ROAD Urban Transportation Commission April 1st, 2025 Item #? File #2024-130020 LM District 2 Add location map here Abutting property owner: ZIFS Burleson6300 LLC Add aerial picture from property profile generally outline where the vacation area is 6400-1/2 Burleson Road Paved/Developed Right-of-Way Street View A Street View B Vacation tract is approximately 0.9113-acre tract of land All property owners within 300 feet of the vacation area were sent public notices on February 14th, 2025 add to presentation No objections have been received if objections or support were received and not cleared All affected City Departments and external stakeholders have reviewed and recommend approval of this right-of-way vacation application, subject to the conditions on the Master Comment Report submitted with this presentation The City will retain an Electric Easement, and Water and Wastewater Lines Easement for the entire right-of-way area to be vacated How do you plan to develop the area to be vacated? The land is owned in fee by Travis County. Said tract of land was annexed to the City of Austin on April 23, 1987, and became a public right-of- way. The right-of-way will be conveyed to the adjacent owner for redevelopment No active site plan I am happy to answer your questions regarding the right of way process The applicant can answer your questions regarding the abutting property and the proposed development. Thank you for your time! Christopher Bueckert, 512-974-1780
TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: M E M O R A N D U M Urban Transportation Commission Christopher Bueckert, Real Estate Services Agent Land Development Engineering, Transportation and Public Works Department February 26th, 2025 F# 2024-130020 LM Street Right-of-Way Vacation approximately 0.9113-acre tract of land abutting 6400-1/2 Burleson Road Attached is the Application Packet and Master Comment Report pertaining to the street right-of-way vacation application for an approximately 39,697 square foot (0.9113-acre) tract of land, being the paved/developed right- of-way abutting 6400-1/2 Burleson Road, being out of that certain 1.14 acres tract of land, situated in the Santiago Del Valle Survey, Abstract No. 24, conveyed unto George S. Matthews, County Judge of Travis County, and his successors in office, by Deed recorded in Volume 554, Pages 251-252, Deed Records, Travis County. Said tract of land was annexed to the City of Austin on April 23, 1987, and became a public right-of-way. The proposed vacation tract will be added to the abutting: North Tract – 2.6978-acres of land, out of the Santiago Del Valle Grant, situated in Travis County, Texas, by Deed recorded in Document No. 2021236711, Official Public Records of Travis County, Texas; South Tract – 1.1631-acres of land, out of the Santiago Del Valle Grant, Abstract No. 24, situated in Travis County, Texas, by Deed recorded in Document No. 2021272168, Official Public Records of Travis County, Texas. The abutting properties are owned by ZIFS Burleson6300 LLC, a Texas limited liability company. Per the transmittal letter dated September 25, 2024, received by the City of Austin, the applicant states, “How do you plan to develop the area to be vacated? Response: The land is owned in fee by Travis County and will be conveyed to the adjacent owner for redevelopment.” All affected departments and private utility franchise stakeholders have reviewed the application and recommend approval, subject to the reviewers’ conditions shown on the attached Master Comment Report. Per City Code §14-11-71 – Notice to Interested Property Owners Public notice will be sent to owners within 300’ of the area to be vacated. The director of the Public Works Department may approve the application after the 10th day that the notice is issued; and an affected property owner may submit comments regarding the proposed vacation. Public Notice was sent to appropriate parties on February 14, 2025. No objections have been received by staff as of the date of this memorandum. The …
Draft CAMPO 2050 RTP Urban Transportation Commission – April 1, 2025 Agenda • Background on CAMPO RTP • Overview of Draft 2050 RTP • City of Austin Response 2 Background on CAMPO’s 2050 RTP Background Key review dates: • The Regional Transportation Plan • 2022-2023: (RTP) provides goals, policies, and performance measures for regional transportation planning. Includes a fiscally constrained list of regionally significant activities that could be implemented over the plan horizon. • • 20+ year planning horizon, updated every 5 years • CAMPO must adopt the 2050 RTP by • April 2025: May 2025 to comply with federal requirements. 3 Travel Demand Model update • June – August 2024: RTP project submission period • October – December 2024: 1st Round Public Outreach • November – December 2024: Agency discussions about fiscally constrained project list • February – April 2025: 2nd Round Public Outreach TAC recommendation on Final Plan • May 2025: TPB adoption of Final Plan Overview of Draft 2050 RTP • The 2050 RTP includes seven chapters covering: • RTP requirements, goals, and objectives. • Regional trends and transportation needs. • Fiscal constraints and funding estimates. • Prioritization of constrained projects. • Performance modeling, including Title VI • Public involvement and stakeholder feedback. • Federal performance measures and policy analysis. alignment. • The draft project list includes 611 constrained projects* and 401 illustrative projects. • Approximately $67.5 billion over the 25-year planning horizon. 4 Overview of Draft 2050 RTP • Goals: • Safety • Mobility • Stewardship • Economy • Equity • Innovation • Key Policies: • Prioritizing multimodal transportation • Supporting regional connectivity • Managing congestion through TDM and transit investments • Addressing air quality and emissions reduction • Enhancing transportation equity 5 City of Austin Response • 2022-2023: Feedback on Demographics • August 2024: City of Austin submitted project listing worth more than $8 billion • December 2024: Submitted updated project listing based on City’s financial forecast of $4.2 billion. • Updated Project Listing: • 162 constrained projects* (+11 from TIP/2045 RTP) • 163 illustrative projects • Constrained Projects: • Actively being developed using recent mobility bonds • • Higher functional classification and regional Identified as priorities in adopted plans significance • Complete Street projects • Illustrative Projects: • Grouped Projects • Lower functional classification roadways * 75% Active Transportation + 22% Roadway 6 City of Austin Response 7 • Vision Zero & Safety • …
ITEM 10: UPDATE ON 2050 REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN (RTP) 1 Local and Regional Plans and Studies CAMPO works with local governments, leadership, and communities to identify and incorporate needs. 3 Project Selection and Funding Local project sponsors submit applications to CAMPO to fund projects identified in the long- range plan. Funding allocation established by the Transportation Improvement Program. 4 Project Implementation Local project sponsors analyze, design, and construct projects. CAMPO’s Planning Process 2 Regional Long-Range Plan CAMPO uses recommendations from plans and studies to create a cohesive, multimodal plan. Local governments participate in plan development. Long range plan does not allocate funding. The 2045 RTP was adopted in May 2020. 25 Development of the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) • Requirements of the RTP 20+ year planning horizon Inventory of existing and planned modal systems Prioritized list of regionally significant transportation projects and programs Performance measurement and reporting Fiscal constraint Update every 5 years • 2050 RTP must be adopted by TPB in May 2025 CAMPO Planning Process Informs the 2050 RTP • Completed San Marcos Transportation Corridors Study Bergstrom Spur Corridor Study Regional Traffic Safety Plan Western Caldwell County Transportation Study Congestion Management Process County Thoroughfare Plans Travel Demand Model Update • Ongoing Regional Freight Plan Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Inventory Update Regional Transit Update Project Readiness Program Partnership studies (Georgetown, Buda, Burnet County) Transportation Demand Management Program Mobile Emission Reduction Plan Interchange/Bottleneck Study Early Action Items • 2045 RTP Review – individual meetings with project sponsors • Call for Projects – review procedures and criteria with TAC and host application workshop • Fiscal Constraint – revenue estimation • IIJA Compliance – recommendations for 2050 RTP Tentative Schedule Draft Schedule Subject to Change Date Item Date Item February 2024 TAC Information – Plan process and schedule January 2025 TAC Information – Draft Plan March to May 2024 Project sponsor meetings to review 2045 RTP June to August 2024 Application intake for project call May 2024 June 2024 July 2024 August 2024 September 2024 TPB Information – Plan process and schedule; TAC Information – Project call; Project call workshop February 2025 TPB Information – Draft Plan TPB Information - Project call; TAC Information - Fiscal constraint discussion Spring 2025 Second round of public outreach meetings TAC Information – Fiscal constraint discussion TAC Information – Summary of projects received TPB Information – Summary of projects received and fiscal constraint discussion March …
Technical Advisory Committee Meeting June 27, 2022 ITEM 5: DISCUSSION ON NEW 2020 CAMPO TRAVEL DEMAND MODEL UPDATE 2020Travel Demand Model Update Schedule Today WA End 8/1/2023 Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug 2023 WA Start 11/22/2021 2022 Data Development Demographic Data and Network Update Model Development and Calibration Up to Six TWG Meetings Documentation /Training Work Completed • Established Technical Working Group (TWG) • Established Stakeholders Group • Completed Covid Impact Review • Completed Census Block/Traffic Analysis Zone review and adjustments • Completed Control Total Memo TWG and Stakeholder Group • Technical Working Group Provides Direction and review for Modeling team Consist of TxDOT, AECOM, TTI, State Demographers office, Capital Metro and CARTS • Stakeholder Group Consist of Counties, Cities and Chambers of Commerce in the Model Area Provides Demographic and Employment forecast data and location information Demographic Forecast Control Totals Fast population growth continues Regional annual population growth rate is 2.37% 2.4 million population (or 1 million families) will be added to the region, or equivalently the current population will be doubled by 2050 Hays County and Williamson County have the highest growth rates, 3.48% and 3.93% Employment Forecast Control Totals Strong economic trend remains Regional employment growth outpaces population growth at an annual growth rate of 2.69% Additional 1.2 million jobs will be created by 2050, more than doubling the current regional employment Hays County and Williamson County have the highest employment growth rates, 4.68% and 3.65%, but Travis County adds most jobs (0.6 million) Moving Forward • Update 2015 Network to 2020 Conditions • Collect/input Stakeholder data into correct year TAZ’s • Prepare UrbanSIM for forecast runs • Hold second TWG meeting Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Today 2023 WA End 8/1/2023 Demographic Data and Network Update Model Development and Calibration Documentation /Training WA Start 11/22/2021 2022 Data Development TWG Meetings • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Technical Advisory Committee Meeting April 24, 2023 ITEM 8: DISCUSSION ON CAMPO TRAVEL DEMAND MODEL UPDATE 2020Travel Demand Model Update Schedule Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Today WA End 8/1/2023 2023 …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation Number: 20250401-003: CAMPO 2050 Regional Transportation Plan WHEREAS, 23 USC 134(i)(2)(D) requires Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to develop Long Range Transportation Plans; WHEREAS, on January 27, 2025 The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) released its draft CAMPO 2050 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP); WHEREAS, the RTP states that the region is growing and that “the regional transportation system plays a key role in where this growth occurs” (p.8); WHEREAS, CAMPO wishes to reduce per capita vehicle miles traveled (VMT) (p.75) and supports TxDOT’s Road to Zero goals; WHEREAS, vehicle miles traveled per capita, congestion levels, commute times, and crashes in our region have been increasing and the region is not meeting the safety targets recommended in the Texas Transportation Institute’s (TTI) Regional Traffic Safety Plan; WHEREAS, expanding highways leads to developmental sprawl, increases in traffic, air pollution, and per-capita vehicle miles traveled, while failing to relieve congestion; WHEREAS, the draft CAMPO 2050 Regional Transportation Plan proposes adding over 3,000 new lane miles, a 26% increase in roadway capacity (p.57); WHEREAS, Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority’s (CTRMA) Mopac South project described in the RTP proposes to add four to seven lanes to Mopac between Enfield Road and Slaughter Lane, and TxDOT’s 183 expansion described in the RTP proposes to add one main lane and three frontage road lanes in each direction between SH 71 and SH 130; WHEREAS, Austin City Council Resolution 20241212-066 requested that CTRMA work with the City of Austin “to refine the proposal for the MoPac South project to align with the goals and intent of the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan, including the Urban Trails Plan, the Austin Climate Equity Plan, the Watershed Protection Strategic Plan, and the Project Connect System Plan” and requested that the resulting project not increase vehicle miles traveled nor greenhouse gas emissions; WHEREAS, Council Member Ellis, the resolution’s sponsor and council-district representative of the project area, followed up with a letter requesting that the Mopac South project include no more than one additional lane in each direction; WHEREAS, the Travis County Commissioners Court requested that the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) produce an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) with a thorough study of alternatives before moving forward with the project; WHEREAS as of the date of this resolution CTRMA has been unwilling to modify the project or commit to performing a full EIS; WHEREAS, the RTP acknowledges …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation 20250401-005: FY 26 Budget Recommendations WHEREAS, the purpose of the Urban Transportation Commission is to serve as an advisory body to the city council, the city manager, and all other transportation-related departments concerning transportation-related matters including: transportation energy conservation matters; grant applications; streets and highways; bus and rail service; pedestrian and bikeway programs and projects; safety-related programs and projects; provision for the needs of the mobility impaired; transportation franchise requests, renewals, rate adjustments, and hours of operation. WHEREAS, following the adoption of a biennial budgeting process in 2024, boards and commissions have been encouraged to “focus their discussions on programs and services based on current funding” and “reference materials from the previous year when drafting recommendations;” and WHEREAS, the Urban Transportation Commission previously adopted budget recommendations for FY 2025 in Recommendation No. 20240305-005; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Urban Transportation Commission recommends that the Transportation and Public Works Department (TPW) fund the following priorities for the FY 24-25 budget: D R A F T Officers to more efficiently ticket vehicles and implement the “alternative method(s) of enforcement” for illegal parking in bikeways, as required by City Council Resolution 20240404-040. Increase the capacity of the Living Streets program to build out an additional 72 activations during the upcoming fiscal year; ● Funding to purchase technology improvements for Transportation Mobility Service ● Work with the Austin Police Department to purchase 65 Meridian Archer movable street ● barricades and to enhance pedestrian safety; Motioned by: Seconded by: Date of Approval: Record of the vote: Attest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign) D R A F T
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation 20250401-005: FY 26 Budget Recommendations WHEREAS, the purpose of the Urban Transportation Commission is to serve as an advisory body to the city council, the city manager, and all other transportation-related departments concerning transportation-related matters including: transportation energy conservation matters; grant applications; streets and highways; bus and rail service; pedestrian and bikeway programs and projects; safety-related programs and projects; provision for the needs of the mobility impaired; transportation franchise requests, renewals, rate adjustments, and hours of operation. WHEREAS, following the adoption of a biennial budgeting process in 2024, boards and commissions have been encouraged to “focus their discussions on programs and services based on current funding” and “reference materials from the previous year when drafting recommendations;” and WHEREAS, the Urban Transportation Commission previously adopted budget recommendations for FY 2025 in Recommendation No. 20240305-005; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Urban Transportation Commission recommends that the Transportation and Public Works Department (TPW) fund the following priorities for the FY 2025-2026 budget: ● Increase the capacity of the Living Streets program to build out an additional 72 activations during the upcoming fiscal year; ● Funding to purchase technology improvements for Transportation Mobility Service Officers to more efficiently ticket vehicles and implement the “alternative method(s) of enforcement” for illegal parking in bikeways, as required by City Council Resolution 20240404-040; ● Work with the Austin Police Department to purchase additional Meridian Archer ● movable street barricades and to enhance pedestrian safety; and Increase the annual maintenance budget for Sidewalks and Urban Trails from $5.4 million to at least $7.5 million, providing staff discretion in which program to allocate the newly available funds. Motioned by: Commissioner Schumacher Seconded by: Commissioner Somers Date of Approval: 4/1/2025 Record of the vote: 7-0 Attest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign)
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation Number: 20250401-003: CAMPO 2050 Regional Transportation Plan WHEREAS, 23 USC 134(i)(2)(D) requires Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to develop Long Range Transportation Plans; WHEREAS, on January 27, 2025 The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) released its draft CAMPO 2050 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP); WHEREAS, the RTP states that the region is growing and that “the regional transportation system plays a key role in where this growth occurs” (p.8); WHEREAS, CAMPO wishes to reduce per capita vehicle miles traveled (VMT) (p.75) and supports TxDOT’s Road to Zero goals; WHEREAS, vehicle miles traveled per capita, congestion levels, commute times, and crashes in our region have been increasing and the region is not meeting the safety targets recommended in the Texas Transportation Institute’s (TTI) Regional Traffic Safety Plan; WHEREAS, expanding highways leads to developmental sprawl, increases in traffic, air pollution, and per-capita vehicle miles traveled, while failing to relieve congestion; WHEREAS, the draft CAMPO 2050 Regional Transportation Plan proposes adding over 3,000 new lane miles, a 26% increase in roadway capacity (p.57); WHEREAS, Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority’s (CTRMA) Mopac South project described in the RTP proposes to add four to seven lanes to Mopac between Enfield Road and Slaughter Lane, and TxDOT’s 183 expansion described in the RTP proposes to add one main lane and three frontage road lanes in each direction between SH 71 and SH 130; WHEREAS, Austin City Council Resolution 20241212-066 requested that CTRMA work with the City of Austin “to refine the proposal for the MoPac South project to align with the goals and intent of the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan, including the Urban Trails Plan, the Austin Climate Equity Plan, the Watershed Protection Strategic Plan, and the Project Connect System Plan” and requested that the resulting project not increase vehicle miles traveled nor greenhouse gas emissions; WHEREAS, Council Member Ellis, the resolution’s sponsor and council-district representative of the project area, followed up with a letter requesting that the Mopac South project include no more than one additional lane in each direction; WHEREAS, the Travis County Commissioners Court requested that the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) produce an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) with a thorough study of alternatives before moving forward with the project; WHEREAS as of the date of this resolution CTRMA has been unwilling to modify the project or commit to performing a full EIS; WHEREAS, the RTP acknowledges …
