AUSTIN, Texas – More than $5.5M of Austin-area safety-related projects were awarded by the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) 2020 Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) this week to significantly reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries.

Using Federal Highway Administration crash reduction factors and a three-year crash analysis, the projects planned for safety improvements can reduce up to 25 injuries per year, according to the Austin Transportation Department.

Safety lighting and signals projects on several Austin high-injury network segments were selected to be fully funded for construction through the federal HSIP program. Austin Transportation’s recent work to improve its crash data enabled quick identification of specific locations where local projects would rank and compete best for local streets funding through this program.

"The City of Austin is proud to partner with TxDOT for these vital safety improvements. We have a community goal to reach zero deaths and serious injuries on our roadways despite being one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation," said Assistant City Manager Gina Fiandaca.

"By strategically pursuing—and winning—outside funding opportunities, Austin Transportation can stretch our available local funds for additional Vision Zero safety project priorities," said Austin Transportation Director Robert Spillar. "Improving our crash data is a significant factor to identifying the right priorities for investment."

The funded projects include:

Safety Lighting

• Slaughter Lane from South 1st to Brandt Road
• Howard Lane from IH-35 to Dessau Road
• Cameron Road lighting from IH-35 to Rundberg Lane

Signals

• Convert a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon to a full signal at South Congress Avenue and Alpine Road
• New signal installation at South Congress Avenue and Ramble Lane
• New signal installation at Burleson Road and Metropolis Drive
• New signal installation at Quicksilver Boulevard and Bluff Springs Road

In June 2020, TxDOT released its new HSIP call for the three upcoming fiscal years (FY22-24). The program includes federal funds to be spent by TxDOT across three categories: on-highway system, off-highway system, and systemic safety. Off-system projects are selected through a competitive process. The HSIP uses a benefit-cost analysis to rank projects for consideration, including a three-year crash history, expected costs of the project, and expected reduction in crashes based on the treatment proposed.

These projects are planned to be implemented in the next two years following Austin City Council approval of a formal agreement with TxDOT later this summer.

In collaboration with area partners, Austin Transportation Department leads our community’s Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries on Austin streets, the achievement of a 50/50 commute type split by 2039 as established in the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan, and actively seeks innovative solutions and piloting technology that can decrease the use of single-occupancy vehicles and improve safety through Austin Transportation Department's Smart Mobility Office. For details, please visit AustinTexas.gov/Transportation.

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