Recommendation 20250304-003: Austin Core Transportation Plan — original pdf

Recommendation

BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION Recommendation Number 20250304-003: Austin Core Transportation Plan WHEREAS, the Austin Core Transportation Plan seeks to create a cohesive and adaptable transportation framework that addresses the unique mobility challenges of downtown Austin while building on previous downtown planning efforts and integrating upcoming major infrastructure projects like I-35 Capital Express Central and Project Connect; and 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; and WHEREAS, the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan sets a goal of 50% non-single occupancy vehicle mode share by 2039; and WHEREAS, two-way streets are safer and increase economic activity where conversions are implemented; and WHEREAS, street trees and additional shade downtown make walking more feasible and can even reduce vehicle speeds; and WHEREAS, the East side of downtown is not currently slated to have a new on-street, high- quality North-South bicycle facility in the current ACT plan; and WHEREAS, the Downtown Austin Alliance Downtown Parking Study was created to comprehensively and holistically find parking management solutions to better serve the residents, workers, and visitors of downtown Austin; and WHEREAS, the Urban Land Institute convened a Technical Assistance Panel focused on reducing the growth of parking downtown, improving management of current parking supply, improving the human experience downtown, and improving other transportation modes; and WHEREAS, City Council Resolution No. 20240201-054 and corresponding ordinances seek to reduce the overall number of new parking spaces built within downtown Austin and create a more pedestrian-oriented built environment; and WHEREAS, the future Austin Light Rail and expanded MetroRapid services are projected to carry tens of thousands additional riders into downtown; and WHEREAS, there are limited resources devoted to transportation infrastructure improvements across the City, with competing priorities, including installing transportation facilities outside of downtown where no current facilities exist; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the UTC recommends that the City Council adopt the Austin Core Transportation plan; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Urban Transportation Commission recommends the Austin Core Transportation Plan prioritizes the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, and non-car modes of transportation throughout the downtown area over car volume throughput; and 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 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the UTC recommends additional one-way to two-way conversions on 5th Street, 6th Street, and other streets as is feasible; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the UTC recommends quick build options at a lower cost for more facilities in the short term to improve current conditions until more funding becomes available for full street rebuilds; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the UTC recommends that street trees and other shade structures be emphasized as crucial transportation infrastructure throughout the boundaries of the ACT Plan; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the UTC recommends that the ACT Plan includes a robust parking management strategy that aligns with the goals of the ASMP, and recent council resolutions that seek to limit the growth of additional new parking downtown; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the UTC recommends an implementation timeline that coincides with those of the 1-35 Cap and Stitch and Austin Light Rail. Motioned by: Commissioner Kavelman Seconded by: Susan Somers Date of Approval: 3/4/2025 Record of the vote: 7-0 Attest: _______________________________