AUSTIN | Transportation Updates

[drummer]

Originally Posted by brando

Is that a rail proposal along I-35? I was unaware of that option if so.

Originally Posted by masonh2479

It would be nice ti eventually have a light rail connection from downtown to the airport. The new transportation method of the future is getting picked up and carried to your destination by an Amazon drone!

Only if it can be done with Prime or same-day...I wouldn't want to wait in a distribution center somewhere for a couple days...

[Slyfox]

Incredible timing ^^^^^^ I was just logging on to ask if anyone had heard anything about Capital Metrorail expansions, specifically the MoKan Corridor to Round Rock.

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by drummer

Is that a rail proposal along I-35? I was unaware of that option if so.

Highway BRT, in the toll/transit lanes proposed for 35.

Looking like stations downtown (a few) inline stations at Rundberg, Tech Ridge, Slaughter. Park and rides at 45 SE, potentially RR and SM

[drummer]

Originally Posted by Novacek

Highway BRT, in the toll/transit lanes proposed for 35.

Looking like stations downtown (a few) inline stations at Rundberg, Tech Ridge, Slaughter. Park and rides at 45 SE, potentially RR and SM

Thanks.

[brando]

Originally Posted by Slyfox

Incredible timing ^^^^^^ I was just logging on to ask if anyone had heard anything about Capital Metrorail expansions, specifically the MoKan Corridor to Round Rock.

MoKan didn't make phase 1. I can't find the track for it on Google Maps. I'm assuming it shares the same track as the Green line and then keeps going north past 290 but it's hard to spot exactly where it goes. I think it would require more work than the Green line which already has protected intersections along its entire path.

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by drummer

Thanks.

This makes me realize, I don't believe we've had much discussion on this proposal on this site (even though it's in progress).

https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/n...ns-of-brt.html

A more detailed discussion is available in the capmetro board packet.


http://capmetrotx.iqm2.com/Citizens/...89&Inline=True

It's the july 11th worksession if that link doesn't work.

http://capmetrotx.iqm2.com/Citizens/Calendar.aspx



In general, I support it, as it seems a good bang-for-the-buck, low cost implementation, given two assumptions.


1) toll lanes on I35 are going to happen regardless, so we should use them for some sort of transit.

2) CapMetro actually can get the rest of the capital cost from other source, as they claim.

[Austin1971]

Ben Wear American-Statesman Staff

http://www.statesman.com/news/183-no...YtTqzmR3hkktL/

[Jdawgboy]

While at my local aquarium store yesterday, I was stopped by a TxDot employee doing a survey. He asked if I would participate and I said sure. The first couple of questions were nothing special. The first question was if I had gone to that location directly from my home or from another location. I was running errands so it was my last stop before heading home which is what the second question was if I was heading directly home from there. The 3rd question was different than the first two. He asked how many times per year on average do I travel to Dallas? I told him that I haven't been up there since I was 8 years old. 4th question was how often I go down to San Antonio per year on average. I answered typically once per year. The 5th was about Houston which due to family living there, usually head over there twice a year. The final question was would I travel to Dallas, San Antonio or Houston by rail instead of driving. My response was most definitely yes.

Looks like they are taking input from the community regarding rail. Not really sure what the point of the first couple of questions was other than filler info.

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

While at my local aquarium store yesterday, I was stopped by a TxDot employee doing a survey. He asked if I would participate and I said sure. The first couple of questions were nothing special. The first question was if I had gone to that location directly from my home or from another location. I was running errands so it was my last stop before heading home which is what the second question was if I was heading directly home from there. The 3rd question was different than the first two. He asked how many times per year on average do I travel to Dallas? I told him that I haven't been up there since I was 8 years old. 4th question was how often I go down to San Antonio per year on average. I answered typically once per year. The 5th was about Houston which due to family living there, usually head over there twice a year. The final question was would I travel to Dallas, San Antonio or Houston by rail instead of driving. My response was most definitely yes.

Looks like they are taking input from the community regarding rail. Not really sure what the point of the first couple of questions was other than filler info.

That is interesting. But I wonder why they were doing what appears to be a non-scientific survey about it?

[drummer]

Originally Posted by Austin1971

Ben Wear American-Statesman Staff

http://www.statesman.com/news/183-no...YtTqzmR3hkktL/

I wonder if the flyover bridges that were cut (183/620) will be an option later.

[Jdawgboy]

Originally Posted by The ATX

That is interesting. But I wonder why they were doing what appears to be a non-scientific survey about it?

I have no idea, I also thought it odd that he was standing outside an aquarium store of all places to do it. He did have his TxDot info and name tag so I can confidently say he was legit. I can't think of a reason why someone would pose as a TxDot employee doing a survey about rail anyways lol. I just figured I'd mention it since it's regarding transportation.

[drummer]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

I have no idea, I also thought it odd that he was standing outside an aquarium store of all places to do it. He did have his TxDot info and name tag so I can confidently say he was legit. I can't think of a reason why someone would pose as a TxDot employee doing a survey about rail anyways lol. I just figured I'd mention it since it's regarding transportation.

Man, no wonder things move so slowly with TxDOT....

[brando]

Originally Posted by Austin1971

Ben Wear American-Statesman Staff

http://www.statesman.com/news/183-no...YtTqzmR3hkktL/

This is very good news. The MoPac north project is the middle segment of a very long corridor plan and it's a little awkward sitting out there by itself. This will build a flyover to get traffic from the mopac toll lane to 183 north and back. It'll also make other improvements to the 1/2 mile of north mopac close to 183.


We really need to hope the South Mopac project gets going soon and that they pick the 2 toll lane in each direction option. It's a really well put together plan and takes advantage of the space in that corridor by making a lot of structural improvements with respect to entrance/exits/bypasslanes that will really help traffic flow.

[paul78701]

Austin vision for I-35 makeover now includes two toll lanes per side:

http://www.mystatesman.com/news/loca...wspaper_email&

Plus, elimination of the upper deck. Would be nice to see that monstrosity go. Wow!

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by paul78701

Austin vision for I-35 makeover now includes two toll lanes per side:

http://www.mystatesman.com/news/loca...wspaper_email&

Plus, elimination of the upper deck. Would be nice to see that monstrosity go. Wow!

This seems really odd news to me. What does this mean for the 3 new ramps at 183 (about to start construction)? The 51st intersection? CapMetros inline station plans?

Just seems late to change stuff up.

[brando]

Originally Posted by Novacek

This seems really odd news to me. What does this mean for the 3 new ramps at 183 (about to start construction)? The 51st intersection? CapMetros inline station plans?

Just seems late to change stuff up.

Completely agree. This doesn't make a lot of sense. I guess most of the work they are doing really is overpasses, frontage roads and entrance/exits. They could also design with the intention to keep the new 35/183 connectors and the re-designed 35NB to 183NB where they are slated to currently go.


Does anyone have a link to the direct accountant from TxDot?

[wwmiv]

Originally Posted by paul78701

Austin vision for I-35 makeover now includes two toll lanes per side:

http://www.mystatesman.com/news/loca...wspaper_email&

Plus, elimination of the upper deck. Would be nice to see that monstrosity go. Wow!

Any speculation what this means for a cut and cap downtown?

[IluvATX]

Originally Posted by paul78701

Austin vision for I-35 makeover now includes two toll lanes per side:

http://www.mystatesman.com/news/loca...wspaper_email&

Plus, elimination of the upper deck. Would be nice to see that monstrosity go. Wow!

3 levels of traffic through downtown? Are there any plans or renderings of any of this?

[The ATX]

This is rather surprising since the plan to add one lane in each direction to the upper deck and one in each direction on the lower level seemed to be a done deal. I guess this new plan doesn't have any affect on all the work already underway on I-35 in South Austin.
Stacking six lanes in pairs in each direction means the frontage roads will still be at least three lanes in each direction. All totaled this would be 18 lanes through central Austin. Two levels of underground levels is going to be sick.

[lzppjb]

Maybe something like this, but with the lowest level being open-air with columns, not walls.