Member and alternate slots opens up on BAC

This morning, Nadia Barrera from the Bicycle/Pedestrian Program at the City of Austin sent out the update below on upcoming projects for the year including these drawings for the much anticipated completion of the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge extension over Cesar Chavez. In addition to these projects, the City is also moving forward on a Request for Interest on the creation of bicycle safety videos as part of the public education campaign in the Master Bicycle Plan.

Finally, the Bicycle Advisory Council is short a full member and an alternate. Those interested in applying may do so by contacting Nadia at (512) 974-7142 or nadia.barrera@ci.austin.tx.us. If you have recently applied, you may ask her to simply re-submit your earlier application. Voting on new members will occur at the February 18 BAC meeting.

2010 Project Update

So it is a new year, and many of us have put together resolutions, goals and promises for a bright, fit, and fun 2010.  To that end, the Neighborhood Connectivity Division (comprised of the Bicycle, Pedestrian, Child Safety, and Urban Trails Program) wants to help you move around Austin in a healthy, sustainable, fun way.  We have a couple of big projects that we are working on this year that will hopefully bring new bicycle riders to our streets, and help those of you that have been riding for years appreciate the small changes that we make to better accommodate your bicycle riding lifestyle.

The Pfluger Bridge Extension is a project that will extend the existing Pfluger Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge over West Cesar Chavez Street. The landing of the bridge extension will coordinate with the realignment of Sandra Muraida Way. The bicyclist and pedestrian path will continue from the bridge extension, through the Gables Development and will connect to the Bowie Street Underpass.  The construction contract for this project was awarded by City Council on January 14^, 2010.  Construction is slated to begin this spring and should be complete by 2011.

The Mopac Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge project will be a dedicated bicycle facility on or adjacent to the existing TxDOT bridge on Mopac over Barton Creek.  The Public Works Department is currently awaiting TxDOT’s final determination regarding a geotechnical review of the existing bridge.  All parties want to verify that the existing bridge would be able to accommodate the additional load.  The Public Works Department is also coordinating with LCRA regarding requirements for crossing Loop 360.  This is due to the concern that the northbound crossing of Mopac and Loop 360 can be challenging (due to a free right turn for those vehicles coming westbound to Loop 360 and entering northbound Mopac).  Accommodating cyclists at this crossing may necessitate an additional bridge to complete bike route.  Due to these additional concerns, the project has experienced longer-than-expected delays and additional permissions are required prior to continuing with final design. Unfortunately, this delay is at an undetermined length at this time.  We will keep you updated as progress occurs.

Other projects include a great new collaboration between the City of Austin Library Department, ACA and the Yellow Bike Project for Bike Month and other programming, and the continuation of our coordination with the Street and Bridge Division to implement the Bicycle Plan via the street reconstruction program.

Related posts:

1. City of Austin partners with local bike shops on Bike Safety Check at Pfluger Bridge ...
2. LOBV adds staff, Bike-in Movies with Beer, and update on City bike projects ...
3. Shoal Creek Trail Closed at 3rd Street until Friday ...
4. November Update from City of Austin on bike infrastructure improvements ...
5. City Bike Program gives update on project progress ...