PROPOSAL

to be submitted to the Texas Department of Transportation for the 2001 Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program

Upper Boggy Creek Bikeway

The Upper Boggy Creek Bikeway is envisioned as an urban hike and bike trail providing intermodal access
to nine city parks and recreation centers, nine schools, a dozen neighborhoods, and numerous
commercial centers and employers.  The Bikeway would run approximately 5 miles along the Southern Pacific railroad right-of-way, owned by the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority, from the Boggy Creek Greenbelt (near East 12th Street) at the southeast to North Lamar Boulevard at the northwest, with numerous access points for travelers and recreational users.

Besides providing accessibility to destinations along it s route, the proposed Bikeway provides inter-neighborhood transportation linkages with over a dozen city of Austin bicycle routes, intercity transportation linkages with over two dozen Capital Metro bus routes, and an interstate linkage with the Greyhound Bus Station.  The plan also is compatible with both the current use of the existing railroad tracks for freight rail, and the potential future use of the tracks for light rail along part or all of its length.

The southern terminus of the Bikeway near East 12th Street provides an important linkage with the Boggy Creek Greenbelt in East Austin, and from there to the Crosstown Bikeway and the Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail in downtown Austin, thereby providing continuous bicycle and pedestrian access from Town Lake and the downtown urban core to North Lamar Boulevard.  A key element of the proposal is the pedestrian and bicycle linkages to the surrounding neighborhoods this facility will provide for the redevelopment project planned for the former Robert Mueller Municipal Airport site.  The airport redevelopment site will be served by three access points, Manor Road, Wilshire Boulevard (through Patterson Park), and East 51st Street.

The neighborhoods that will have direct access to the UBC Bikeway include low- and moderate- income households in east and central Austin, serving moderate density single-family homes and multi-family apartment units.  The facility will also serve three large commercial centers (Highland Mall, Hancock
Center, and Delwood Center) as well as the Airport Boulevard and Lamar Boulevard commercial corridors and the First Workers employment center.


The TxDOT Transportation Enhancement Project Evaluation Committee (TEPEC)  will evaluate the function or impact of each nominated project and make recommendations to the TxDOT Commissioners based on the following three factors:

1. Quality

The UBC Bikeway is envisioned as a paved or gravel grade-separated (Urban Class I Bikeway) multi use facility built to AASHTO standards for pedestrian and bicycle facilities.

Construction of the Bikeway will follow Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials standards for pedestrian facilities (A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets) and bicycle facilities (Guide for Development of Bicycle Facilities).  The Bikeway will also be fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the National Environmental Protection Act, and other state and Federal regulations. Appropriate mitigation measures will be implemented to protect ecological resources along and near the proposed route.

Bikeway construction will include high-quality convenience and safety features, including striping, lighting, streetscaping, signage,  signals, and safety measures:

Several Bikeway segments pass through or adjacent to scenic natural vegetation and creeks, providing an exceptional transportation and recreation experience.
 

2. Geographic scope of benefits

Nearly 5 miles in length, the Bikeway will link Boggy Creek Greenbelt in historically under served East Austin on the southeast, with  Highland Mall and North Lamar Boulevard on the northwest.

The proposed route parallels a popular motor vehicle route between neighborhoods, parks, recreation, commercial and employment centers. The Bikeway will be an important link in creating continuous pedestrian and bicycle connectivity from the Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail in downtown Austin and the Crosstown Bikeway, through East Austin, and the many destinations accessible through these facilities.

Many popular destinations will be served including nine parks and recreation centers, nine schools, a
dozen neighborhoods, three major commercial centers and numerous other commercial establishments and employers.

Neighborhoods.  The UBC Bikeway will connect over a dozen low- and moderate income neighborhoods of moderate density single family houses on mostly smaller lots, as well as many multifamily units.  These neighborhoods are home to 18,808 City residents and 18,742 jobs, and  are expected to grow 36% and 133%, respectively, between 1997 and 2015 (CAMPO 2025 Plan).  Currently, this area lacks high-quality pedestrian and bicycle facilities, especially safe crossings of major motor  vehicle routes.

Diversity.  Households of many ethnicities and sizes will be served, including families with children, students, wage earners, and elderly. The young, the elderly, and lower-income individuals have been shown to rely to a greater degree on walking and bicycling for their transportation needs.

Parks and recreation.  Nine city parks, recreation centers, and senior activity centers will be accessible from the Bikeway, linking these facilities with neighborhoods and each other.

Commercial and employment.  Three major commercial centers (Delwood Center, Hancock Center, and Highland Mall) are adjacent to the proposed Bikeway.  Numerous other commercial establishments and employers are located adjacent to or near the proposed Bikeway, including much of the Airport Boulevard commercial district, the Manor Road, MLK Jr. Avenue, East 38 1/2 Street, and Lamar Boulevard commercial corridors, and the First Workers employment center.

The Bikeway will provide vital external links to the planned redevelopment of the former Robert Mueller Municipal Airport site, a 700 acre site within three miles of downtown Austin.

Access to the Mueller Airport redevelopment will be provided from Manor Road, Wilshire Boulevard, Airport Boulevard, and East 51st Street.  The Traditional Neighborhood Development planned for the Airport site incorporates improved pedestrian and bicycle accessibility throughout and is  expected to bring an additional 4,761 residents and 23,691 jobs by 2015, increases of 450% and 2,777% over 1997, respectively (CAMPO 2025 Plan).

The Bikeway project dovetails with the City of Austin neighborhood planning process, currently
underway in several neighborhoods along the proposed route.

Pedestrian/bicycle orientation.  The planning process is focused on improving the pedestrian orientation and pedestrian/bicycle accessibility within and among neighborhoods.

Future development.  The planning process is also focused on reuse and redevelopment of several areas
near the proposed Bikeway, which are currently undeveloped open space or neglected industrial zones. Multi-modal access to these spaces, through the Bikeway project, will greatly expand the scope of residential and commercial projects that  may be considered for these tracts.
 

3. Transportation enhancement value

The UBC Bikeway will enhance the existing surface transportation system by providing safe and convenient pedestrian and bicycle transportation facilities.

The Bikeway will form a major north-south pedestrian and bicycle artery of the City's transportation system, providing continuous travel and connecting many densely populated residential areas, popular commercial destinations for shopping and employment, and recreational amenities.

The UBC Bikeway will enhance the existing surface transportation system by providing extensive intermodal accessibility.

Bicycle routes.  Linkages with over a dozen City of Austin bike routes (22, 24, 28, 30, 32, 36, 42, 44, 47, 48, 49, 51, 57, and 59).

City and regional bus service.  Linkages with over two dozen Capital Metro bus routes (1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 15, 18, 20, 21/22, 37, 62/67/174, 101, 320, 339, 350, 425, 495, IRS/932/990, CR and RR).

Light rail.  The initial phase of the proposed Capital Metro light  rail system includes a station near the northern terminus of the Bikeway, at Airport Boulvard and North Lamar Boulevard.  A proposed extension parallel to Airport Boulevard between North Lamar Boulevard and East 51st Street would provide numerous additional intermodal linkages wherever stations are located.

Interstate bus service.  Greyhound Bus Station (916 East Koenig Lane).

The UBC Bikeway will contribute to achievement of Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) policy goals for encouraging walking and bicycling.
Policy E-1.  Provide a coordinated and contiguous system of regional bicycle and pedestrian facilities that offer a viable alternative to automobile travel.

Policy E-3.  Remove barriers to continuous bicycle and pedestrian travel to encourage bicycling and walking as modes of transportation.

Policy E-7.  Support continued development of a regional off-road trail system that connects trails to activity centers such as schools, workplaces, shopping centers and parks.  Integrate the network of off-road facilities with the on-road system.

The UBC Bikeway will form a key component of the City of Austin's comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan.  The City's Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan has the following stated goals: The UBC Bikeway will contribute to overcoming current barriers and hazards to safe and convenient pedestrian and bicycle travel.

Current barriers include an Interstate Highway (IH-35), a U.S. Highway (US 290), and several major or minor arterial streets (MLK Jr. Ave., Manor Rd., East 51st St., and North Lamar Blvd.).  Overcoming these motor vehicle barriers will eliminate lengthy and dangerous detours and encourage more walking and bicycling.

Much of the proposed route, as well as intersecting streets, are designated City of Austin Mixed-Use Smart Growth Corridors where Smart Growth development is encouraged.

Airport Boulevard, paralleling much of the proposed Bikeway, is designated a City of Austin Mixed-Use Smart Growth Corridor.

Intersecting the proposed Bikeway are other designated Mixed-Use Smart Growth Corridors, including East 12th St., Manor Rd., Martin Luther  King Jr. Ave., East 51st St., Koenig La., and North Lamar Blvd.

Will provide an economic stimulus during the design and construction phase, as well as continued economic benefits from improved access to jobs, schools, churches, and other amenities for individuals who are unable or unwilling to operate a motor vehicle, including children, the elderly, individuals with physical or mental  disabilities, and individuals with limited financial means.

Right-of-Way considerations

The proposed Bikeway will be constructed within or near the railroad right-of-way owned by Capital Metro.   While some portions of the Bikeway will require easements for use of the railroad ROW, many portions can be constructed within ROWs owned by other entities, including the City of Austin, the Texas Department of Transportation, and, possibly, private land owners.  ROW requirements are detailed below in the discussion of the proposed route.

Usually, bike trails constructed along railroad rights-of-way evoke images of trails along abandoned railroad corridors.  However, a recent study by the U.S. Department of Transportation (Rails-With-Trails:  Best Practices, U.S. DOT, January 2001 http://www.altaplanning.com/fhwa/index.html) reports that many successful bike trails operate along or within ROW of active railroad tracks.  Over 60 such trails have been constructed within ROWs of active railroad tracks, with railroad usage ranging from several low-speed freight trains per week, to high-speed commuter and Amtrak service operating dozens of trains per day.  The Federal report identifies benefits from bike trails realized by right-of-way owners, including reduced trespass, vandalism and dumping; channelization of pedestrians to known crossings; improved right-of-way condition from trail maintenance; improved safety due to the presence of trail users; and improved public
perception of the right-of-way owner.


Proposed Route of the Upper Boggy Creek Bikeway

The Upper Boggy Creek Bikeway will be composed of five major segments, each of which serve multiple public and commercial destinations:

Segment 1 (East 12th Street to Manor Road)
 
Amenity Type Access
Boggy Creek Greenbelt park/cultural adjacent
Rosewood Park and Recreation Center park/cultural Boggy Creek Greenbelt
Rosewood Elementary school Boggy Creek Greenbelt
AISD Alternative Learning Center school Boggy Creek Greenbelt
Doris Miller Auditorium park/cultural Boggy Creek Greenbelt
Campbell Elementary school Boggy Creek Greenbelt
Rice Elemetary school MLK Jr Blvd
Downs Field/Mabson Field park/cultural Boggy Creek Greenbelt
Parque Zaragoza park/cultural Boggy Creek Greenbelt
Austin Community College Eastview Campus school MLK Jr Blvd
Manor Road corridor commercial/employment bike route--Manor Rd

Bike routes: 42, 44, 48
Bus routes: 6, 18, 20, 350, 425, 495
Access points: 3
At-grade street crossings: 2 (MLK Blvd., Manor Road)
Neighborhoods served: Chestnut, Blackland, Cherrywood, JJ Seabrook, Rosewood

Proposed route:
 
From To Along Side of RR tracks ROW owner
N boundary Boggy Creek Greenbelt S side MLK Jr Bl RR ROW East Capital Metro
S side MLK Jr Bl N side MLK Jr Bl Street X-ing RR X-ing E to W City of Austin
N side MLK Jr Bl S side Manor Rd RR ROW West Capital Metro or private
S side Manor Rd N side Manor Rd Street X-ing West City of Austin

Segment 2 (Manor Road to Hancock Center)
 
Amenity Type Access
Manor Road corridor commercial/employment bike route--Manor Rd
East 38 1/2 Street corridor commercial/employment adjacent
Maplewood Elementary school adjacent
Delwood Center commercial/employment adjacent
Patterson Park park/cultural bike route--Wilshire Bl
former Robert Mueller Municipal Airport redevelopment commercial/employment bike route--Wilshire Bl
Hancock Center commercial/employment adjacent
Hancock Recreation Center park/cultural bike route--East 41st St
Perry School school bike route--East 41st St
Elisabet Ney Museum park/cultural bike route--East 41st St
Hyde Park Senior Activity Center park/cultural bike route--East 41st St

Bike routes: 34, 36, 42, 59
Bus routes: 20, 21/22, 120, 350, 495 (37, 62/67/74, 499, 985, CR, IRS/PX)
Access points/At-grade street crossings: 5 (Manor Road, Cherrywood, E 38 * St, Wilshire Bl, IH-35)
Neighborhoods served: Cherrywood, Blackland, Wilshire Woods, Delwood II, JJ Seabrook, Rosewood, Chestnut, Hancock, Hyde Park

Proposed route:
 
From To Along Side of RR tracks ROW owner
S side Manor Rd N side Manor Rd Street X-ing West City of Austin
N side Manor Rd E side Cherrywood RR ROW West Capital Metro
E side Cherrywood W side Cherrywood Street X-ing West City of Austin
W side Cherrywood S side E 38 1/2 St Clarkson St West City of Austin
S side E 38 1/2 St N side E 38 1/2 St Street X-ing West City of Austin
N side E 38 1/2 St S side Wilshire Bl RR ROW West Capital Metro
S side Wilshire Bl N side Wilshire Bl Street X-ing West City of Austin
N side Wilshire Bl E side N IH-35 frontage road Wilshire Bl West City of Austin
N side Wilshire Bl IH-35 crossing lanes E side N IH-35 frontage road West TxDOT
E side N IH-35 frontage road W side S IH-35 frontage road IH-35 crossing lanes West TxDOT

Segment 3 (Wilshire Boulevard to East 51st Street)
 
Amenity Type Access
Patterson Park park/cultural bike route--Wilshire Bl
former Mueller Airport redevelopment commercial/employment bike route--Wilshire Bl
Hancock Center commercial/employment adjacent
Hancock Recreation Center park/cultural bike route--East 41st St
Perry School school bike route--East 41st St
Elisabet Ney Museum park/cultural bike route--East 41st St
Hyde Park Senior Activity Center park/cultural bike route--East 41st St
Ridgetop Elementary school adjacent
Airport Boulevard corridor commercial/employment adjacent
First Workers Employment Center commercial/employment East 51st St

Bike routes: 30, 34, 51, 57, 59
Bus routes:  15, 350, 495, RR, (37, 62/67/74, 499, 985, CR, IRS/PX/ )
Access points/At-grade street crossings: 5 (IH-35, E 45th St, E 46th St, E 51st St)
Neighborhoods served: Cherrywood, Wilshire Woods, Delwood II, Hancock, Hyde Park, Eye H-35/Airport Bl

Proposed route:
From To Along Side of RR tracks ROW owner
E side N I-35 frontage W side S I-35 frontage IH-35 crossing lanes West TxDOT
W side S I-35 frontage W side Clarkson Av S I-35 frontage West TxDOT/private
W side Clarkson Av E side Clarkson Av Street X-ing West City of Austin
E side Clarkson Av S side E 45th St Clarkson Av West City of Austin
S side E 45th St N side E 45th St Street X-ing West City of Austin
N side E 45th St S side E 46th St RR ROW West Capital Metro
S side E 46th St E side Bennett Av Street X-ing West City of Austin
E side Bennett Av S side E 51st St Clarkson Av West City of Austin
S side E 51st St N side E 51st St Street X-ing Cross W to E
RR X-ing		 City of Austin

Segment 4 (East 51st Street to Denson Avenue)
 
Amenity Type Access
First Workers Employment Center commercial/employment bike route--East 51st St
Greyhound Bus Station commercial/employment Koenig Lane
Texas Department of Public Safety commercial/employment bike route--Denson Dr
Reilly Elementary school bike route--Denson Dr
Webb Junior High school
Highland Mall commercial/employment adjacent
Hoover's Inc (former Butter Krust bakery building) commercial/employment adjacent
Austin Community College administrative office commercial/employment Huntland Dr
Airport Boulevard corridor commercial/employment adjacent

Bike routes: 24, 28, 30, 49 (?), 51
Bus routes: 1, 7, 15, 39. 101, 120. 350
Access points/At-grade street crossings: 4 (E 51st St, E 53rd St, Koenig La/US 290, Denson Dr)
Neighborhoods served: Eye H-35/Airport Bl, Hancock, Hyde Park, Skyview

Proposed Route:
From To Along Side of RR tracks ROW owner
S side E 51st St N side E 51st St Street X-ing West City of Austin
N side E 51st St S side E 53rd St Clarkson Av West City of Austin
S side E 53rd St N side E 53rd St Street X-ing Cross W to E City of Austin
N side E 53rd St S side Koenig La RR ROW East Capital Metro
S side Koenig La N side Koenig La Street X-ing East City of Austin
N side Koenig La S side Denson Dr RR ROW East Capital Metro
S side Denson Dr N side Denson Dr Street X-ing East City of Austin

Segment 5 (Denson Avenue to North Lamar Boulevard)
 
Amenity Type Access
Texas Department of Public Safety commercial/employment bike route--Denson Dr
Airport Boulevard corridor commercial/employment adjacent
Austin Community College adminstrative office commercial/employment
Reilly Elementary school bike route--Denson Dr
Highland Mall commercial/employment adjacent
North Lamar Blvd corridor commercial/employment adjacent

Bike routes: 22, 24, 47
Bus routes: 7, 15, 39, 120, 350
Access points: 3
At-grade street crossings: 3 (Denson Dr, Guadalupe St, N. Lamar Bl)
Neighborhoods served: Skyview, Crestview, Wooten

Proposed route:
From To Along Side of RR tracks ROW owner
S side Denson Dr N side Denson Dr Street X-ing East City of Austin
N side Denson Dr E side Guadalupe Airport Bl East City of Austin
E side Guadalupe W side Guadalupe Street X-ing East City of Austin
W side Guadalupe E side N Lamar Bl Airport Bl East City of Austin
E side N Lamar Bl W side N Lamar Bl Street X-ing East City of Austin