AUSTIN (KXAN) – The city of Austin is breaking ground on an improvement project on a busy stretch of roadway in northeast Austin.
Austin is known for having streets with multiple names, and Cameron / Dessau Road is one of them and is the focus of the latest Vision Zero safety project.
At a groundbreaking in the 8700 Block of Cameron Road, Council Member Chito Vela, who represents this part of the city, was on hand for the kick off of this improvement project.
“Changes are coming that will help make it a safer corridor, slow vehicle speeds down and make it, we’re putting in bike lanes, we’re expanding the sidewalks, improving the bus stops,” Vela said.
The speed limit in front of the groundbreaking location is 40 mph, but Richard Mendoza, the director of transportation and public works for the city, said they have conducted speed studies and found drivers going as fast as 60 – 70 mph.
“And we’re going to achieve that by putting in measures and designs that have the effect of slowing down traffic. Data shows that the major cause of fatalities and major injuries on our roadways is speed-related and many at night,” Mendoza said.
The city said Cameron / Dessau Road is a critical north-south corridor in northeast Austin. Unfortunately it’s also high on the city’s list of dangerous roads, with nearly 100 traffic-related injuries or fatalities every year.
Once construction is done in early 2027, Cameron and Dessau Road will no longer be three lanes from 51st Street to Parmer Lane and will only have two lanes in each direction instead.
“You’ll see new street lighting. You’ll see greater buffers between sidewalks and the motor vehicle lanes to protect vulnerable pedestrians. You’ll see somewhat narrower lanes in between the intersections. Narrow lanes have the effect of slowing down vehicles as well,” Mendoza said.
The project supports Austin’s Vision Zero goal to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries, as well as make it safer for everyone to get around the city — whether driving, walking, biking, taking transit or using micro-mobility options.
“Cameron Road is extremely important to CapMetro. We operate three different routes along this road and this project will not only improve the physical infrastructure but will also improve our service. This project alone will improve 21 bus stops,” said Dottie Watkins, the CEO of CapMetro.
The city will be working in phases to hopefully minimize disruption to the flow of traffic.
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