More room for walking and cycling

Starting this Friday, a portion of Riverside Drive from Lee Barton Drive to South First Street will welcome pedestrians and cyclists while becoming off-limits to car traffic. And last Friday, the Transportation Department gave pedestrians and cyclists crossing the Longhorn Dam bridge a chance to maintain physical distance from one another by closing a southbound lane of Pleasant Valley Road. A news release from Transportation explains, “Both closures enable people walking and riding bicycles or scooters to make essential trips more safely, including accessing Butler Metro Park, Vic Mathias Auditorium Shores, and the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail and Boardwalk while maintaining adequate physical distancing to limit the spread of Covid-19.” As Austin Transportation Director Robert Spillar said, “With the current stay-at-home order, automobile trips are down, allowing Austin Transportation to convert some select roadways temporarily into safe walking and cycling spaces that allow for better physical distancing.” The changes were the result of a collaboration between the transportation, parks and public works departments.