Bicycle Pedestrian Improvements

Bicycle Pedestrian Improvements


Austin is a great place to live, work and play. As the population has experienced remarkable growth, so, too, has the number of bicyclists, pedestrians and others not in vehicles who make their way around the city. With this in mind, TxDOT is working hard to enhance safety and accommodate current and future demand for bicycle and pedestrian paths.

How are we enhancing bike/ped safety?

Capital Express Central Project

Proposed improvements include:

  • More than 18 miles of new shared-use paths (proposed in Alternative 2)*
  • More than 19 miles of new shared-use paths (proposed in Modified Alternative 3)*
  • Vehicle bypass lanes to reduce through traffic at 28 intersections
  • 13 connections to urban trail network and bicycle network

In addition:

  • I-35 mainlanes will be lowered; upper decks will be removed
  • Existing east-west crossings will be widened and enhanced; new bicycle-pedestrian crossings will be constructed at 4th Street, 51st Street, Red Line at Airport Boulevard and Lady Bird Lake
  • Additional bicycle-pedestrian crossings proposed in Modified Alternative 3 include 3rd Street, 15th Street and 41st Street. More information about bicycle-pedestrian crossings in our Bike-Ped Bridge Fact Sheet.

*In addition to the 2.4 miles of recently completed shared-use paths. 

Learn more about the I-35 Capital Express Central project.

Example of proposed east-west crossing. Rendering is a concept only; features are subject to change.

 

Proposed crossing at 4th street. Rendering is a concept only: features are subject to change. Inset: Photo of I-35 at 4th Street. (2021)
Capital Express North Project

Proposed improvements include:

  • More than 18 miles of new shared-use paths in addition to the 5+ miles that exist or are under construction
  • Additional 5 miles of intersection bypass lanes for safer and faster access to and from the mainlanes and to benefit local and regional mobility

Learn more about the I-35 Capital Express North project.

Capital Express South Project

Proposed improvements include:

  • More than 13 miles of new shared-use paths in addition to the 3 miles recently constructed
  • More than 1.5 miles of intersection bypass lanes for safer and faster access to and from the mainlanes and to benefit local and regional mobility

Learn more about the I-35 Capital Express South project. 

Community Outreach

TxDOT is committed to ensuring the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians traveling along or across the I-35 corridor. We continue to engage in open conversations with the community as we believe our mutual interest in creating a safe environment for bicyclists and pedestrians provides a solid foundation from which to build.

Past Meetings/Walking Tours

  • Jan. 25, 2022 – VOICE community meeting to announce modified alternatives with enhanced bicycle and pedestrian facilities
  • Aug. 13, 2021 – Walking tour at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
  • Aug. 6, 2021 – Walking tour at 51st Street
  • July 8, 2021 – City of Austin bike/ped coordination
  • May 26, 2021 – VOICE community meeting on bike/ped
  • April 16, 2021 – Walking tour at 4th Street
  • April 2, 2021 – Walking tour at Dean Keeton Street/Manor Road
  • Mar. 19, 2021 – Walking tour at Airport Boulevard/Hancock Center
  • Mar. 15, 2021 – Active Mobility Working Group
  • Jan. 25, 2021 – Active Mobility Working Group
  • Oct. 22, 2020 – Active Mobility Working Group
  • July 6, 2020 – City of Austin Pedestrian Advisory Council (PAC)
  • May 19, 2020 – Bicycle Advisory Council (BAC) presentation
  • 2015 – 2020 – Launch of Mobility35 program (North, South and Central) with in-person and virtual public meetings featuring public comment periods and community outreach

Upcoming meetings in early 2022 include The Trail Foundation, Waterloo Greenway, the Bicycle Advisory Council (BAC) and the Pedestrian Advisory Council (PAC). TxDOT also meets regularly with the Austin Parks and Recreation Department.

CapEx VOICE community meeting at Austin Central Library. (January 2022)

 

I-35 Capital Express Central project walking tour. (August 2021)

Additional Resources

Bicycle and pedestrian accommodations are supported by federal and state legislation, policies and practices. TxDOT follows its Roadway Design Manual and guidelines developed by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). All state and federally funded transportation projects are constructed in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.