Virtual Public Hearing - South Lamar Boulevard
When:
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
9 a.m.
Where:
The virtual public hearing presentation will be posted on AustinTexas.gov/SouthLamarENV at the date and time above.
Purpose:
The City of Austin Corridor Program Office, in coordination with TxDOT, is proposing to implement mobility, safety and connectivity improvements on South Lamar Boulevard from Riverside Drive to US 290 in Travis County, Texas. This notice advises the public that the city will be conducting an online virtual public hearing on the proposed project. The virtual public hearing webpage, AustinTexas.gov/SouthLamarENV, will be launched on July 15, 2020. The virtual public hearing itself will be available to the public on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, at 9 a.m. on the previously mentioned webpage.
Project staff will give a presentation regarding the proposed improvements on South Lamar Boulevard. The presentation will include both audio and visual components. If you do not have internet access, you may call (512) 974-7904 to ask questions about the project and access project materials at any time during the project development process. Following the launch of the virtual public hearing, members of the public may call (512) 974-9444 and provide verbal comments until the end of the comment period on Thursday, July 30, 2020, at 5 p.m. Formal written comments may also be provided online, by mail or email as explained below. All verbal and written comments submitted online, by mail or email will be included as part of the official record for this hearing and project and taken into consideration by the city. Responses to verbal and written comments will be prepared by the city, included as part of the hearing and project record and will be made available online.
Written comments from the public regarding the proposed project are requested and may be submitted by mail to the City of Austin Corridor Program Office at P.O. Box 1088, Austin, TX 78767. Comments may also be submitted by email to SouthLamar@AustinTexas.gov or online at AustinTexas.gov/SouthLamarENV.
Additionally, as stated above, members of the public may call (512) 974-9444 and provide verbal comments immediately following the launch of the virtual hearing presentation. All verbal and written comments must be received by Thursday, July 30, 2020, at 5 p.m. Responses to verbal and written comments received will be available online at AustinTexas.gov/SouthLamarENV once they have been prepared.
Description:
The proposed projects will be funded primarily by the voter-approved 2016 Mobility Bond and are expected to improve mobility, safety and connectivity along the 3.3 mile South Lamar Boulevard corridor for all users, whether they walk, bike, drive or take transit.
The funded South Lamar Boulevard improvements between Riverside Drive to Barton Springs Road include enhanced improvements that represent the ultimate corridor vision. These include upgraded traffic signals at Riverside Drive, Toomey Road and Barton Springs Road; bus stop improvements; pavement restoration; removal of continuous right-turn lanes; ADA-compliant sidewalks and two-way raised protected bicycle lanes on both sides of South Lamar Boulevard; access management improvements such as raised medians and driveway modifications; enhanced landscaping with a variety of plant and tree species; street lighting and placemaking and streetscape improvements such as benches, bike racks, scooter parking and waste receptacles.
The funded South Lamar Boulevard improvements between Barton Springs Road and US 290 include improved traffic signals on existing locations with enhanced technology; two new traffic signals at Del Curto Road and Evergreen Avenue; four new pedestrian hybrid beacons (mid-block signalized cross-walks); safety and multi-modal connectivity improvements at certain intersections; approximately 3 miles of pavement rehabilitation; approximately three miles of new shared-use paths to create continuous ADA-compliant sidewalks for pedestrians and cyclists on both sides of South Lamar Boulevard; access management improvements such as intermittent raised medians along the corridor; driveway modifications; drainage improvements and bus stop improvements in partnership with Capital Metro, including a new dedicated transit priority lane northbound through the intersection at Barton Skyway and Menchaca Road.
The city has also evaluated the environmental impacts of additional improvements that represent the ultimate corridor vision between Barton Springs Road and US 290, but are not yet funded for construction. These improvements would include enhanced and separated pedestrian and bicycle facilities, streetscape, trees and street lighting.
Though it varies by section, the existing right-of-way (ROW) width from Riverside Drive to Barton Springs Road along South Lamar Boulevard is generally 120-feet and will not require additional ROW. The ROW width between Barton Springs Road and US 290 along South Lamar Boulevard varies by section, but is generally 80-100 feet. For the ultimate corridor vision, which includes unfunded improvements, the proposed ROW width following widening would be approximately 100-120 feet. It should be noted that the near-term, funded improvements would require less ROW, with additional ROW needs generally limited to areas with less than 80-100 feet of existing ROW width and at major intersections with turn lanes.
Though additional ROW will be required, no residential or non-residential structures are anticipated to be displaced at this time. Information concerning services and benefits available to affected property owners and information about the tentative schedule for ROW acquisition and construction can be obtained from the Corridor Mobility Program through email at SouthLamar@AustinTexas.gov.
At least part of the proposed project would occur within the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone and transition zone.
Any environmental documentation or studies, maps and drawings showing the project location and design, tentative construction schedules and other information regarding the proposed project are available online at AustinTexas.gov/SouthLamarENV.
If you have any general questions or concerns regarding the virtual public hearing, please contact SouthLamar@AustinTexas.gov or (512) 974-7904.
Special Accomodations:
The city makes every reasonable effort to accommodate the needs of the public. The virtual public hearing information will be in English and Spanish. If you have a special communication accommodation or need for an interpreter, a request can be made. If you have a disability and need assistance, special arrangements can also be made to accommodate most needs. Please call (512) 974-7904 or email SouthLamar@AustinTexas.gov no later than Friday, July 10, 2020. Please be aware that advance notice is requested as some accommodations may require time for the city to arrange.
Downloads:
Contact Us:
TxDOT Austin District
P.O. Box 15426
Austin, TX 78761-5426
(512) 832-7000
Email
Posted July 1, 2020