AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday, the city of Austin and community leaders gathered to discuss upcoming changes to Sixth Street, according to a press release.
This comes after a vehicle attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day prompted the Austin Police Department to provide an update on the pilot program. During that update, APD Chief Lisa Davis said Sixth Street had been open to traffic on Thursdays and Sundays and was going as planned without issues.
Mayor Kirk Watson highlighted multiple renovations that he believes Sixth Street needs. “Without careful attention and investment it will begin to lose its luster,” Watson said.
Mayor Watson and Chief Davis said the plan is to increase pedestrian safety and the number of officers being injured in the area. The renovations include expanded sidewalks, rubber curbs, and fencing that would stop pedestrians from entering the street.
Chief Davis said these efforts will help connect Sixth Street with the rest of Downtown Austin and allow pedestrians to get where they need to go quicker and easier.
-In early December of last year, the city began its ‘soft launch,’ starting by opening up Sixth Street to traffic on Sunday and Thursday nights. Davis said they plan to continue starting this weekend, allowing traffic to flow through Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Davis told KXAN last week that reopening the street to vehicular traffic was “the responsible thing to do,” to prevent safety issues from arising when pedestrians crowd the roadway.
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