Austin establishes first official ‘healthy streets’

Acting quickly on the resolution passed earlier this month, the Austin Transportation Department has announced the first batch of streets to be enrolled in Austin’s new Healthy Streets Initiative:

• Bouldin Avenue/South Third Street/Garden Villa Lane between Banister Lane and Barton Springs Road
• Comal Street between Manor Road and Lady Bird Lake
• Country Club Creek Trail extension (Trail, Wickersham Lane, Ventura Drive, Madera Drive) between Mabel Davis Park and Lakeshore Drive

A press release from the department notes the “effort follows the recent successful temporary street modifications on the bridge over Longhorn Dam on Pleasant Valley Road and the closure of Riverside Drive from South First Street to Lee Barton Drive.” Under the Healthy Streets Program, staff members are closing a portion of the road to motorized vehicles to encourage safe use by cyclists, pedestrians and other non-vehicular forms of transportation. Transportation cautions residents that “Healthy Streets are designed for ‘active use’ only, individuals are prohibited from gathering, barbecuing or playing games that involve physical contact of any kind. Participants are expected to keep at least six feet apart at all times and required to wear a face covering while engaging in active recreation.”