In order to raise money, the State of Texas will be allowing developers to build on the State land bordered by 45th St., Guadalupe, and Lamar. Neighborhood activists have been fighting the proposed development since at least 1996, trying to ensure that the development is compatible with the neighborhood and not just another concrete strip-mall. This is a huge issue and we don't intend to cover the whole controversy in detail here. (For detailed information, see the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association's site.) But we do want to present some information here about the project that is of interest to cyclists, since a development of this scale will have a huge impact on local traffic. Patrick Goetz, a local cycling activist, is on a committee which will make recommendations about traffic planning concerning the project. Here's is Goetz' report.

As some of you know, a great deal of effort has gone into insuring that the proposed development of the state land at the intersection of Lamar and Guadalupe is handled as intelligently as possible. (I hesitate to use the buzzwords "new urbanism" or "compact city", but I'm sure you get the idea.)

To accompany a relatively dense development by Austin standards, we - a citizen's advisory committee - have put together a list of recommendations for improving traffic conditions in the areas around the Triangle. The current list of recommendations is included below. We are actively soliciting comments and/or additional suggestions.

There is no deadline for comments, but, as stated in the recommendations, we would like to get the city's rubber stamp on a final list of guaranteed improvements before the development of the project begins. Calthorpe will unveil the final project design on September 24th (1998), so it might be a good idea to have our traffic plan recommendations finalized by this date.

There is no single correct way to submit recommendations. Anyone is welcome to attend the citizen's advisory group meetings at Threadgill's on Lamar on Monday evenings at 7:00. Certainly they can be emailed to me, and it might be interesting to cc: them one of the Austrans lists.

Other people who can be contacted are:

• Ross Baldick: baldick@ece.utexas.edu
• Sabrina Burmeister: burmeister@psy.utexas.edu
• Jennifer Vickers: jen@communityinvestment.com
• Cathy Echols: echols@psy.utexas.edu

The Triangle project is "big". If all goes well, this whole excruciating process will culminate in a nationally recognized new urb development, not to mention a model for future infill in Austin and a great asset to the city. This might very well be the best opportunity in decades to push the city to implement some real traffic mitigation measures (roundabouts, bike lanes, sidewalks, narrowed and improved streets, traffic light synchronization, etc.). Let's not let this opportunity pass unaddressed.

We, the traffic subcommittee recommend that:

• The traffic plan presented by the Genesis group (pp. 53-63 from the report prepared on the Triangle) should be used as a general guideline for changes on 45th Street.
  
• Traffic improvements in the area around the Triangle MUST coincide with or precede the development of the Triangle; i.e. they must NOT be deferred until after the development is finished. A commitment with regard to this matter must be made by the city before the Triangle plans are finalized.
  
• To facilitate the former in the face of possible claims regarding a lack of funds on the part of the city, traffic improvements may be partially or entirely financed by the Triangle developers, who could then be reimbursed through tax abatements of one form or another. In any case, a funding mechanism for traffic improvements must be in place before the Triangle plans are finalized.
  
• A peak traffic analysis must also be considered in addition to one which looks at the total number of vehicle trips per day. The traffic impact analysis should include the entire area bounded by 38th, Koenig Lane (2222), I-35, and Mopac.

Specific recommendations, highest priority:

• Without changing its width or course, 45th Street should be converted from 2 lanes to 1 lane each way with bike lanes on either side and a turn lane in the center. This change would run from Duval to Burnet. The central turn lane should be broken up by tree filled median islands, the frequency and size of which could be determined later. Pullouts for buses should be installed.
  
  
• Roundabouts should be installed at the following intersections:
  • - 45th and Duval
  • - 45th and Guadalupe
  • - Guadalupe and Lamar
    
    
• The following intersections should also be upgraded by, for example, roundabouts, vehicle actuated traffic signal coordination, or traffic signal synchronization. In addition they should be made pedestrian and bicycle friendly.
  • - 38th and Duval
  • - 38th and Guadalupe
  • - 38th and Lamar
  • - 38th and Medical Parkway
  • - 45th and Lamar
  • - 45th and Burnet
  • - 51st and Lamar
    
    
• All remaining traffic lights within a one mile radius of the Triangle should be managed by a vehicle actuated traffic signal co-ordination system.
  
  
• 46th Street between Guadalupe and Old Guadalupe should be closed to motor vehicle traffic (bicycles and pedestrians only) in order to help control cut-through traffic.
  
  
• Within ¸ mile of the Triangle, "No Through Trucks" signs should be posted on all residential streets at their intersection with major streets.
  
  
• Traffic calming measures should be implemented within at least a one mile radius of the Triangle, particularly on residential streets susceptible to cut-through traffic. Efforts should be made to constrict residential streets through, for example, increased parallel parking, sidewalks, bike lanes, and trees.
  
  
• The entrances to residential streets (within 1/2 mile of the Triangle) should be constricted to make them less attractive to cut-through motorists and freight. One way to accomplish this would be to place stop signs on the lane markers for (newly added) bicycle lanes.
  
  
• The city should designate 183 to Lamar and 2222 to Lamar as freight routes. Loading docks on the Triangle site should only be accessible from Lamar, although loading docks should not be visible from Lamar. Freight traffic to and from the Triangle should be obliged to use Lamar.
  
  
• Pedestrian activated lights should be installed at the following locations:
  • - across 45th at Shipe Park and at Ave. B
  • - across Guadalupe at 46th
  • - across Lamar in the vicinity of Sunshine
    
    
• The Lamar and Guadalupe crossings should be aligned with pedestrian walkways through the Triangle and should provide a connection for bicyclists traveling through the Triangle from 46th to the bike lanes along Sunshine (proposed) and Woodrow (existing).
  
  
• Parallel parking should be added on both sides Guadalupe from 45th to Lamar

Other recommendations:

In the interest of regional transportation planning, we suggest that there are a number of streets which lend themselves to conversion from 4-lane to 1-lane each way with a center turn lane, bike lanes and sidewalks for pedestrians. In addition, some 2 lane streets should be enhanced/restricted in order to facilitate bicycle and pedestrian traffic. These include (but are not limited to):

• - 53rd Street from Airport Blvd. to Shoal Creek
• - 45th from Airport to Mopac
• - Shoal Creek from 38th to Anderson Ln.
• - Clarkson Ave. from Hancock Center to 53rd