Most Austinites agree, when it comes to traffic, it is often a nightmare.
“We've got MoPac, I-35, and first street,” said Ed Wendler.
The Austin City Council is letting voters decide just how to ease the gridlock by calling for a $90 million mobility bond package in November.
“I think it's built on a rationale of distortion and deception,” said Jim Skaggs with The Coalition on Sustainable Transportation.
His organization is the latest to come out against Proposition 1.
“This bond package doesn't address congestion,” said Skaggs. “It addresses alternate modes that are not congestion relief.”
Proposition 1 consists of everything from roads and sidewalks to bicycle and pedestrian projects. The most expensive individual project is the $14.4 million boardwalk extension along the south side of Lady Bird Lake which would complete the hike and bike trail from east to west. There is $8 million allocated to reconstruct 3rd Street between San Antonio and Trinity, as well as adding sidewalks and bike lanes. Four million dollars would go to temporary improvements to the highly congested "Y" at Oak Hill.
There are over $60 million in the package that directly improve, reconstruct, or build new roads.
Ted Siff with Get Austin Moving says this is the right size bond for Austin now.
“It’s a bond package that reduces traffic congestion, increases safety, and also provides transportation choices,” said Siff.
In one month, that choice will be left to Austin voters. They will decide whether to spend $90 million for all the proposed improvements.
Proposition 1 includes more than 40 different improvement projects. It will either all pass, or all fail.
The Coalition on Sustainable Transportation joins The Real Estate Council of Austin and Texans for Accountable Government in opposing Proposition 1.
