REGULAR MEETING OF THE URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2026, AT 5:00 P.M. CITY HALL, ROOM 1101 301 WEST SECOND STREET 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 via 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 by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Natalie Leone, 512-974- 3428, natalie.leone@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Susan Somers, Chair Daniel Kavelman, Parliamentarian Deshon Brown Heather Buffo Kevin Chen Nathan Fernandes Justin Jacobson Varun Prasad Joshua Sorin Spencer Schumacher, Vice Chair AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 5 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 Special Called meeting on 3/16/2026. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. 4. Project Connect Update, including the Federal Transit Administration record of decision for Austin Light Rail Phase 1. Presentation by Jocelyn Vokes, Austin Transit Partnership. Movability Commuter Survey update. Presentation by Kathleen Lu, Movability. Citywide Lighting Plan update. Presentation by Joel Meyer, Transportation Officer, Austin Transportation and Public Works. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. 6. 7. Approve the Right of Way Vacation for 2024-011813 LM - 1909 Comal Street. Presentation by Christopher Bueckert, Real Estate Services Agent, Austin Transportation and Public Works. Approve a recommendation to Council regarding the 2026 Bond Program. Approve officer appointments to the Urban Transportation Commission. COMMITTEE UPDATES 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Update from Commissioner Chen from the Downtown Commission regarding actions taken at the March 11, 2026, meeting. Update from Commissioner Prasad from the Joint Sustainability Committee regarding actions taken at the March 25, 2026, meeting. Update from Commissioner Schumacher from the Bicycle Advisory Council regarding actions taken at the March 17, 2026, meeting. Update from Commissioner Kavelman from the Pedestrian Advisory Council regarding actions taken at the April 6, 2026, meeting. Update from Chair Somers from the City Council Mobility Committee regarding actions taken at the April 2, 2026, meeting. Update from Chair Somers from the …
URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Monday, March 16, 2026 The Urban Transportation Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, March 16, 2026, at Austin Energy Headquarters, Room 1111, Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Schumacher called the Commission Meeting to order at 5:07 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Heather Buffo - (District 1) Nathan Fernandes – (District 2) Daniel Kavelman - (District 5) Justin Jacobson - (District 8) Spencer Schumacher, Vice Chair - (District 9) Commissioners in Attendance Virtually: Kevin Chen - (District 6) Deshon Brown (Mayoral) PUBLIC COMMUNICATION Ryan Saunders Zenobia Joseph APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on 2/3/2026. The minutes of the 2/3/2026 meeting were approved on a motion from Commissioner Fernandes, seconded by Commissioner Jacobson, on a 6-0 vote, with Commissioners Brown, Prasad, Somers, and Sorin absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Transit Enhancement Program Update. The commission received a presentation from Max Schwartz, Program Manager, Austin Transportation and Public Works. 3. Austin Core Transportation Plan Update. The commission received a presentation from Michelle Marx, Transportation Officer, Austin Transportation and Public Works. 4. Austin Transportation and Public Works Services and Budget Update. The commission received a presentation from Richard Mendoza, Director, Austin Transportation and Public Works. 1 URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approve a recommendation regarding the Fiscal Year 2026-20727 budget of Austin Transportation and Public Works. Public Comment Received from Zenobia Joseph On a motion from Commissioner Schumacher, and a second from Commissioner Kavelman approved as amended with a 7-0 vote, with Commissioners Prasad, Somers, and Sorin absent. 6. Approve proposed changes to Urban Transportation Commission By-laws. Amendment: On a motion from Commissioner Schumacher and a second from Commissioner Jacobson, the amendment was approved by a 7-0 vote, with Commissioners Prasad, Somers, and Sorin absent. On a motion from Commissioner Schumacher, and a second from Commissioner Buffo approved as amended with a 7-0 vote, with Commissioners Prasad, Somers, and Sorin absent. COMMITTEE UPDATES 9. Update from Commissioner Chen from the Downtown Commission regarding actions taken at the January 21, 2026, meeting. The commission received an update from Commissioner Chen. 10. Update from Commissioner Prasad from the Joint Sustainability Committee regarding actions taken at the January 28, 2026, meeting. The Item was skipped due to Commissioner Prasad’s absence. 11. Update from Commissioner Schumacher from the Bicycle Advisory Council regarding actions taken …
Citywide Lighting Plan Urban Transportation Commission| 4.7.26 Why are we developing a Lighting Plan? Reduce roadway fatalities and serious injuries Project sponsors Understand what role lighting can play in reducing crime or improving sense of personal safety Improve the safety and utility of urban trails and parks Improve overall nighttime quality of life and Funding urban character Protect sensitive species and reduce light pollution publicinput.com/lightingplan 2 Ongoing interdepartmental collaboration West Campus Lighting Project Mobility Bonds and Federal Grants Slaughter Lane Howard Lane Bluff Springs Road McNeil Drive Pearce Lane 13 high crash intersections Parks and Recreation e.g. park trail / trailhead lighting APD lighting priorities Great Streets Plan update West Campus Lighting Project publicinput.com/lightingplan 3 Scope of work Community engagement Existing conditions analysis Organizational and peer city review New and updated lighting design guidelines Policy recommendations Prioritization framework for new lighting Implementation plan and funding scenarios Scope includes Street and pedestrian lighting in the public right of way Trail lighting Park lighting Scope does not include Privately owned or facade lighting publicinput.com/lightingplan 4 Community and stakeholder engagement Technical Advisory Committee Community Advisory Committee DarkSky Texas, Downtown Austin Alliance, AISD, The Trail Conservancy, Bat Conservation International, SafeHorns, Safe Streets Austin, and many more Night Walk and Lighting 101 presentation Two in-person open houses Project web page Public survey (362 responses) publicinput.com/lightingplan 5 Night Walk with Advisory Committee members Survey findings n=362 Preference for natural, warm, and unobtrusive lighting Reduce light pollution / Dark Sky friendly Promote safety, but not overly bright Clear processes for requesting new lighting or removing existing lighting Latent demand for nighttime walking, biking, trail use, and transit use e.g. 26% of respondents said they would use urban trails more with improved lighting Color Temperature 1000K Candlelight 2000K Tungsten Light 3000K Household Light Bulbs 4000K Natural White 5000K Daylight 6000K Cool White 7000K Overcast 10000K Sky Blue publicinput.com/lightingplan 6 Existing conditions analysis Lighting asset inventory 65,000+ lighting assets reviewed/collected NEW: Urban trails and park lighting inventory Citywide lighting model This data enables Lighting gap analyses Prioritization of new lighting Quantification of potential energy / cost savings Assessment of crash and crime trends …
AN ALLEY RIGHT-OF- WAY VACATION APPLICATION ABUTTING 1909 COMAL STREET Urban Transportation Commission April 7, 2026 Item #5 File #2024-011813 LM District 1 Add location map here Abutting property owner: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System Add aerial picture from property profile generally outline where the vacation area is 1909 Comal Street Unpaved/ Undeveloped Right-of-Way Leona Street E MLK Blvd E 20th Street PICTURES OF PROPERTY STREET VIEW Vacation tract is approximately 0.2399 acres of land All property owners within 300 feet of the vacation area were sent public notices on January 21, 2026. No objections have been received as of the day of this presentation 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 a Public Utility Easement over the entire vacation area How do you plan to develop the area to be vacated? …will be redeveloped as Graduate Student Housing supporting the students of the University of Texas in Austin. 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 ARMBRUST & BROWN, PLLC A T T O R N E Y S A N D C O U N S E L O R S 100 CONGRESS AVENUE, SUITE 1300 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701-2744 512-435-2300 FACSIMILE 512-435-2360 Andrew Linseisen (512) 435-2358 alinseisen@abaustin.com Mr. Joseph Fotinos Land Management Division Transportation and Public Works City of Austin 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive Austin, Texas 78752 April 9, 2024 Re: Request for Alley Vacation for property located between E. 20th Street and E. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and between Comal and Leona Streets, Austin, Texas 78722, also known as TCAD Parcel No.’s 0211071501, 0211071502, 0211071503, 0211071504, 0211071505, 0211071506, and 0211071507 (“Tract 1”); 0211071508, 0211071509, 0211071510, 0211071511, 0211071601, 0211071512, and 0211071515 (“Tract 2”); 0211071608, 0211071602, 0211071607, 0211071603, 0211071609, 0211071610 and 0211071611 (“Tract 3”) (collectively the “Property”) Dear Mr. Fotinos: Please accept this as an amended Alley Vacation Application for the above referenced Property (the “Application”). This Application is submitted to request approval of the vacation of the alley while retaining existing easements to the City to accommodate the …
Austin Light Rail April 7, 2026 Urban Transportation Commission Austin Light Rail Phase 1 Light rail is an expandable electric train system designed for metropolitan areas, serving as an integral part of the transit network by connecting people to essential destinations where they live, work and play. ACCESS TO: 136K CURRENT JOBS 200K+ FUTURE JOBS 15 STATIONS connecting north, south and east Austin 9.8 MILES of light rail transit 29K DAILY TRIPS on an average weekday 2 Presentation Title 3 Austin Light Rail Phase 1 Austin Light Rail Timeline 4 Achieving Milestones • Advancing through the Capital Investment Grants program • Received a medium-high rating - the highest rating awarded by the Federal Transit Administration in the Fiscal Year 2026 cycle • Completed the NEPA Final Environmental Impact Statement in January 2026, the first major New Starts project to do so within the required 2-year deadline • 2026: Awarding Contracts to Build Austin Light Rail • February: ATP Board awards final design & construction contract to Austin Rail Constructors • Spring: ATP Board expected to award contract for construction of Operations & Maintenance Facility • Summer: ATP Board expected to award contract for light rail vehicles 5 Contracts to be Awarded in 2026 Civils, Rail, Stations, Systems Operations & Maintenance Facility Light Rail Vehicles • Progressive Design-Build • Progressive Design-Build • Summer 2026 Award • February 18th Board Award to Austin Rail Constructors • Phase 1: Preconstruction (continuing design and planning) • Phase 2: Construction • Q2 2026 Award • Phase 1: Preconstruction (continuing design and planning) • Phase 2: Construction • Design coordination with design-build teams • Vehicle design and manufacturing 6 What is Progressive Design-Build? A collaborative construction method where the owner works with the designer & builder from an early stage Helps identify opportunities for innovation and optimization Reduces and manages risks by having all parties at the table at an earlier stage Frequent and early collaboration enhances efficiency and timeliness of delivery 7 LRT Contractor Preconstruction Overview Pre-Construction Activities 2026 Preconstruction (1A): Design Progression & Construction Planning 2027 2028 … 2/18/2026 Board Authorization Preconstruction (1B): Final Design & Permitting Board Authorization to finish final design Construction Packages Board Authorization for Construction Packages Preconstruction (1A): Design Progression & Construction Planning • Advance design and initiate permitting • Field work and utility coordination Preconstruction (1B): Final Design & Permitting • Advance design and refine construction cost estimates to …
2025 CENTRAL TEXAS COMMUTER SURVEY 1 AUSTIN STRATEGIC MOBILITY PLAN (ASMP) 2019 2039 74% drive-alone to work/school 26% use an active/shared mode 50% drive-alone to work/school 50% use an active/shared mode 2 2025 CENTRAL TEXAS COMMUTER SURVEY • Conducted 2025 Annual Commuter Survey, supported by the ETC Institute • Surveyed 1874 residents in Travis, Hays, Williamson, Caldwell, Burnet, and Bastrop Counties o Added 3 new counties since last year o 95% confidence level o 45% work from home some of the time o 91% are currently employed full-time or part-time 3 HOW ARE WE DOING? 2025 All 6 Counties 4 WHAT’S CHANGED SINCE 2024? 2024 2025 (3-county region) 68% drive-alone to work/school 14% use an active/shared mode 68% drive-alone to work/school 16% use an active/shared mode 5 WHAT’S CHANGED SINCE 2024? Central Texas is still progressing towards its 50-50 goal. Carpooling +96% Drive-alone No change Telework -19% Rideshare +239% (0.77% -> 2.61%) Transit No change Biking -40% (3.01% -> 1.80%) 6 KEY FINDINGS 1) Continue investing in Williamson County transit services. • Williamson County transit ridership (7.68%) • Second highest after Travis County (14.48%) • Six county region avg. transit ridership (6.51%) 7 KEY FINDINGS 2) When employers subsidize active/shared modes, more people use them. • Employees with subsidies are 19% more likely to take active/shared modes • Only 8% of people have access to subsidies for active/shared modes • People w/o free parking and parking reimbursement also had high rates 8 KEY FINDINGS 3) Telework alone isn’t the answer • Teleworking decreased by 19% from 2024 to • 2025 Increase of return to office mandates and hybrid work schedules • Not available to essential workers • Average commute distance 11.59 miles 9 KEY FINDINGS 4) Hispanic participation and representation in biking (ebike/bike) has improved in 2025 • Asian (5%) and Black (6%) biking rates are low compared to representative sample 10 KEY FINDINGS 5) Higher incomes/education associated with higher active and shared mode usage • People with >$200k HHI had a high active/shared mode usage (42%) • Individuals with <$15k HHI had the second highest usage rate (39%) and a high train ridership rate • People with a graduate degree or higher also had a high usage rate (39%) • People in child-rearing years (25-44) were the least likely to use active/shared modes 11 THANK YOU! 2025 CENTRAL TEXAS COMMUTER SURVEY 12
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation 20260407-006: 2026 Bond Update WHEREAS, the 2026 Bond Development Initial Project Request List included 10 projects and programs from Austin Transportation & Public Works (ATPW) totaling $925,200,000; WHEREAS, the ATPW long-term Key Performance Indicator of percent of lane miles in the City’s Street Inventory in Fair to Excellent Condition has dropped from 75% in FY21 to 68.5% in FY25; WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s commitment to Vision Zero has seen early signs of success, with a slight decrease in fatalities on City-owned roadways while fatalities on state-owned roadways have sharply increased; WHEREAS, City Council Resolution No. 20240718-093 directed the City Manager to develop “a comprehensive bond package that funds and addresses climate, infrastructure, and any other public improvements for the purpose of conducting an election no later than November 2026;” DRAFT ● Expand the All Ages and Abilities Bikeways Network to 660 miles by 2033; ● Construct all 94 miles of Tier 1 Urban Trails by 2043; ● Address all Very High and High priority sidewalks and shared streets by 2033 (Approx. WHEREAS, on November 30, 2023 the City Council adopted amendments to the ASMP creating a new Bicycle, Urban Trails, and Sidewalks, Shared Streets and Crossing Plan, collectively referred to as ATX Walk-Bike-Roll, setting the following build-out goals: WHEREAS, both the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan (ASMP) & the Austin Climate Equity Plan set the goal of achieving a 50/50 mode-split goal with 50% of people walking, bicycling, taking transit, or using other non drive-alone mode to work by 2039; 340 miles of new sidewalks and 200 miles of shared streets) WHEREAS, in commenting on the Environmental Investment Plan, UTC Recommendation 20240305-006 noted that a $188.8 million investment was needed to keep the ATX Walk-Bike-Roll Buildout Plans on track through 2028; WHEREAS, funding from previous bonds allocated toward named projects, such as the Dougherty Arts Center and the various Corridors projects, has been underspent and not resulted in comparable results to programmatically defined bond funding; WHEREAS, transportation represents the largest share of Austin’s greenhouse gas emissions, and thus presents the greatest opportunity for climate investment; WHEREAS, on January 21, 2026, the Project Review Board proposed an initial draft with a $251,000,000 transportation bond (see Appendix A); WHEREAS, the Bond Election Advisory Task Force Transportation & Electrification Working Group proposed a $300,000,000 transportation and electrification bond (see Appendix A); NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation 20260407-006: 2026 Bond Update WHEREAS, City Council Resolution No. 20240718-093 directed the City Manager to develop “a comprehensive bond package that funds and addresses climate, infrastructure, and any other public improvements for the purpose of conducting an election no later than November 2026;” WHEREAS, the 2026 Bond Development Initial Project Request List included 10 projects and programs from Austin Transportation & Public Works (ATPW) totaling $925,200,000; WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s commitment to Vision Zero has seen early signs of success, with a slight decrease in fatalities on City-owned roadways while fatalities on state-owned roadways have sharply increased; WHEREAS, the ATPW long-term Key Performance Indicator of percent of lane miles in the City’s Street Inventory in Fair to Excellent Condition has dropped from 75% in FY21 to 68.5% in FY25; WHEREAS, both the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan (ASMP) & the Austin Climate Equity Plan set the goal of achieving a 50/50 mode-split goal with 50% of people walking, bicycling, taking transit, or using other non drive-alone mode to work by 2039; WHEREAS, on November 30, 2023 the City Council adopted amendments to the ASMP creating a new Bicycle, Urban Trails, and Sidewalks, Shared Streets and Crossing Plan, collectively referred to as ATX Walk-Bike-Roll, setting the following build-out goals: ● Expand the All Ages and Abilities Bikeways Network to 660 miles by 2033; ● Construct all 94 miles of Tier 1 Urban Trails by 2043; ● Address all Very High and High priority sidewalks and shared streets by 2033 (Approx. 340 miles of new sidewalks and 200 miles of shared streets) WHEREAS, in commenting on the Environmental Investment Plan, UTC Recommendation 20240305-006 noted that a $188.8 million investment was needed to keep the ATX Walk-Bike-Roll Buildout Plans on track through 2028; WHEREAS, funding from previous bonds allocated toward named projects, such as the Dougherty Arts Center and the various Corridors projects, has been underspent and not resulted in comparable results to programmatically defined bond funding; WHEREAS, transportation represents the largest share of Austin’s greenhouse gas emissions, and thus presents the greatest opportunity for climate investment; WHEREAS, in Recommendation 20251202-005, the Urban Transportation Commission (UTC) recommended the Bond Advisory Task Force and the Project Review Board advance a $331,200,000 transportation bond, focusing investments in safety, ATX Walk-Bike-Roll, and roadway conditions. WHEREAS, the Bond Election Advisory Task Force Transportation & Electrification Working Group proposed a $300,000,000 transportation …
