\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEngineering firm KPA Engineers has finished the initial schematics for proposed changes to the Austin Avenue corridor from Second Street to Leander Road, with plans to improve safety and walkability along the major north-south route through Georgetown.<\/p>\n
What happened<\/p>\n
KPA Engineers<\/a> Vice President Trae Sutton presented the schematic update to Georgetown City Council at a workshop meeting Feb. 24.<\/p>\n The proposed upgrades include removing parking spaces from the downtown square to accommodate expanded sidewalk use, narrowing roadways to three lanes in some sections to slow vehicle speeds, and expanding roads in other areas to five lanes to allow for better traffic flow.<\/p>\n Specific changes<\/a> include:<\/p>\n Converting Seventh and Eighth streets to one-way between Rock Street and Main StreetRedistributing traffic volume through intersection improvements on Austin Avenue at Second, Seventh and Eighth streets; University Avenue; Main Street; and 18th StreetCreating a three-lane road with one center turn lane from Third Street to 21st StreetRemoving parking spaces in the downtown area for cafe seating<\/a> and pedestrian usesImproving crossings, sidewalks, bicycle access and streetscape design throughoutTraffic modeling through 2045 estimates the corridor upgrades will reduce future congestion, according to city documents. The proposed intersection upgrades are projected to cut afternoon peak delays at Austin Avenue and Hwy. 29 from 90 seconds to 47 seconds.<\/p>\n Proposed changes at Austin Avenue and University Avenue are expected to reroute traffic that currently enters and exits Main Street, pushing it toward Austin Avenue via left turns at Seventh, Ninth, 10th and 11th streets.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom the modeling we don\u2019t see any of this pushing any more traffic out into the neighborhoods,\u201d Sutton said at the meeting.<\/p>\n What they\u2019re saying<\/p>\n District 1 council member Amanda Parr said she would like to consider an additional pedestrian crossing further east on Hwy. 29.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a really big plan, there\u2019s a lot of costs and factors involved in this, and this is going to extend over many years and many budget cycles,\u201d Parr said.<\/p>\n District 5 council member Kevin Pitts wanted the plan to consider accessibility for delivery trucks in the downtown square, especially since the upgrades include removing parking spaces<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re talking about trying to redevelop an area that was developed when people were riding horses, not driving cars,\u201d Pitts said.<\/p>\n This history<\/p>\n The 2024 Austin Avenue corridor study<\/a> by the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization identified traffic, safety and pedestrian needs along Austin Avenue from NE Inner Loop to SE Inner Loop.<\/p>\n