Austin to rebuild E. Riverside as complete street

Including light rail stations

Jay Blazek Crossley, Nov 02, 11.

The City of Austin is opening a public discussion on proposed transportation improvements to East Riverside seeking to make a complete street, with safe infrastructure for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and drivers, according to a story in the Austin American Statesman.

The vision is at least partly dependent on a future urban rail line with new neighborhood centers developing around rail stops. City leaders plan to ask voters next year to support bonds for an initial phase of an urban rail system, but it isn’t clear yet whether that first phase will include East Riverside. Eventually, city planners envision urban rail running from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport along East Riverside to downtown.

City officials say the East Riverside transportation study will explore how to make the thoroughfare more suitable for pedestrians, bicyclists and people riding the bus or train, as well as for drivers.

At tonight’s meeting, officials will also review proposed rules for development along the corridor. Community recommendations helped shape the rules.

The transportation study and the draft regulations are part of the East Riverside Corridor Master Plan adopted by the City Council in 2010. City officials began working on the plan in 2008. It promotes pedestrian-friendly streets and integrates streets and sidewalks with private buildings.