Problem #6

Problem Report Index Title Problem Number Date Location Report contact Summary Details Exhibit 1 Problems at Barton Springs Road and Barton Blvd. Exhibit 2 Problems on Robert E. Lee Dr. Exhibit 3 More Problems along Robert E. Lee Dr. Exhibit 4 Problems on Kinney Ave. Comments Suggestions Status Status History Solution Thank you... Title: Robert E Lee Drive near Barton Springs Road has very poor pedestrian facitlites. Problem Number: 6 Date: Mar 12, 1998 Reported by: Arthur DiBianca

Location: Robert E. Lee, from Barton Springs Road all the way south through Melridge Place to Bluebonnet Road. Also Barton Springs Road itself, and Kinney Ave. These streets are all in the same general area east of Zilker Park and south of Barton Springs Road. Move to Index for Problem #6

Summary: Arthur DiBianca reports: Barton Springs Road at Barton Blvd. This is perhaps the most humorous pedestrian problem in Austin. There is a bus stop at this corner. Less than ten feet from the bus stop is a 'no pedestrians' sign. Presumably bus riders are expected to parachute in. The problem is that there is no sidewalk (or even a shoulder) on the south side of Barton Springs Road east of the Barton Creek bridge. To get to the bus stop, a pedestrian must walk across Robert E. Lee and then east along this unprotected stretch. Or a pedestrian can sprint across Barton Springs at Barton Blvd., though there is no light or other protection from the heavy traffic on Barton Springs Road. Robert E. Lee Dr. There is no sidewalk anywhere along the entire length of road, except a short isolated stretch in front of some apartments on Melridge Place. Ironically, Robert E. Lee borders park land from Barton Springs Road south to Barton Hills Road. It is possible to walk in the park area from Barton Springs Road to Barton Hills Road, but it is inconvenient and, after rain, quite muddy. South of Barton Hills Road, it becomes downright dangerous. There are narrow bike lanes, but several blind turns. Autos tend to speed, especially around the turns. Kinney Ave. There are no sidewalks or bike lanes, and there is a blind curve near the top of the hill. Pedestrian access to the Barton Heights area is already limited, and Kinney Road is one of the few points of access. Unfortunately, it is currently dangerous for pedestrians. Move to Index for Problem #6

Details: There has been much discussion of Barton Springs Road itself, and hopefully that important roadway will be fixed up for pedestrians along with other improvements. There is definite lack of pedestrian facility along the south side of this major road. Less well known, but also close to the park and neighborhoods where many people live is Rober E.Lee Drive. This road connects to Barton Springs Road just east of the Creek on the south side. It runs to the east side of Zilker park in that section and is a major access to the park from the surrounding neighborhood. It has major problems for pedestrian near Barton Springs Road. The problems extend south into the neighborhood for most of the length of the road. Another neighborhood street, Kinney Ave. has similar problems. All of the neighborhood streets which intersect with Barton Springs Road have problems at those intersections. Exhibit 1: Problems at Barton Springs Road and Barton Blvd South side of Barton Springs Road at Barton Blvd. There is no sidewalk along the south side of Barton Springs Road between Robert E. Lee and Barton Blvd., and no crosswalk to cross Barton Springs Road at any point east of Robert E. Lee. (In fact, there is not even a delineated shoulder: pedestrians actually must walk in the auto lane.) There are two "no pedestrians" signs along this stretch. It is therefore illegal for pedestrians to walk to this bus stop. It is also dangerous and inconvenient. A sidewalk should run along the south side of Barton Springs Road from Robert E. Lee all the way to Kinney (which is another block or so east of Barton Blvd.). Barton Springs Road at Barton Blvd., view from northeast Move to Index for Problem #6

Exhibit 2: Problems on Robert E.Lee Dr. Robert E. Lee at Barton Springs Road. There is no crosswalk across Robert E. Lee at this intersection. Traffic is often heavy, and pedestrians are endangered by autos turning right from Barton Springs Road onto Robert E. Lee, and by autos turning right from Robert E. Lee onto Barton Springs Road. A short wall and heavy vegetation make the latter turn blind, so an impatient driver cutting too close to the corner could easily hit a pedestriand. A "no pedestrians" sign is posted about twenty feet past the intersection, although it is often obscured by vegetation. It's not clear to me whether it is legal for a pedestrian to make this crossing. This crossing is probably the least diffcult way to reach the bus stop farther down Barton Springs Road. There should be a crosswalk across Robert E. Lee, and a sidewalk along the south side of Barton Springs Road. Dirt trail along Robert E. Lee, just south of Barton Springs Road. This trail is unpleasant. After rains it becomes very muddy, and it's difficult to squeeze past the end of the guard rail to get to the corner of Robert E. Lee and Barton Springs Road. Wheelchairs cannot access this stretch. Walking along Robert E. Lee on the other side of the guard rail is possible, but much more dangerous, since the shoulder is only about a foot wide. This are needs to be redeveloped so that some sort of sidewalk or paved trail can be added, and access to the Barton Springs Road intersection can be improved. Robert E. Lee at Lund Street, facing south. There are only two ways to go east of Robert E. Lee, and one is here at Lund Street, which curves up a hill eastward and becomes Dexter. Walking along the east side of Robert E. Lee is uncomfortable and dangerous, and the west side is uncomfortable as well. The trail and roads in the park west of Robert E. Lee are on the other side of a large ditch, so a pedestrian must walk some distance along Robert E. Lee to one of the entrance roads. Robert E. Lee at Lund Street, facing north. There should be a sidewalk along at least one side of Robert E. Lee, probably the west side. Until a sidewalk is built, the vegetation should be cut back to improve visibility and comfort for pedestrians walking on the Robert E. Lee shoulder. Robert E. Lee at Barton Hills Road. Pedestrian travel along Robert E. Lee and Barton Hills Road is uncomfortable, since there's no sidewalk. Autos frequently cross the bike lane boundaries. A sidewalk should be added along the north side of Barton Hills Road. There should be some sort of sidewalk or pedestrian protection along Robert E. Lee south of this intersection. Robert E. Lee south of Barton Hills Road. Vegetation grows right up to the curb on both sides of Robert E. Lee, and sometimes into the bike lanes, forcing pedestrians into the auto lanes. The vegetation also creates blind curves. The ground on both sides of Robert E. Lee often slopes up steeply, making sidewalk construction difficult. However, pedestrians need some sort of protection here. A sidewalk could be built over one or both of the current bike lanes, and bikers could ride along the sidewalk. The vegetation must also be cut back. Move to Index for Problem #6

Exhibit 3: More problems on Robert E.Lee Robert E. Lee at Trailside Drive. This is a dangerous spot for pedestrians. Autos coming around the sharp blind curve (from the southeast) usually cut into the inside bike lane. An unwary pedestrian standing there at the wrong time could easily be hit. There are no sidewalks, and pedestrians cannot walk outside the curb because of the thick vegetation on both sides. A sidewalk should be constructed along at least one side of Robert E. Lee. Bikers could ride on that sidewalk. Robert E. Lee at Trailside Drive with vehicle. Robert E. Lee at Rabb Road. Just as at Trailside Drive, there is a sharp blind curve along Robert E. Lee. Vehicles coming around the sharp blind curve (from the east) usually cut into the inside bike lane. An unwary pedestrian standing there at the wrong time could easily be hit. There are no sidewalks, and pedestrians cannot walk outside the curb because of the vegetation on both sides. A sidewalk should be constructed along at least one side of Robert E. Lee. Bikers could ride on that sidewalk. Robert E. Lee, east of Rabb Road. Visibility is not as bad here as to the west, but vehicles often travel around the curve very fast, endangering pedestrians in the bike lanes. A sidewalk should be constructed along at least one side of Robert E. Lee, continuing to Ashby, where the existing sidewalk begins. Move to Index for Problem #6

Exhibit 4: Problems on Kinney Avenue Kinney Avenue, south of Barton Springs Road. This spot is hostile to pedestrians. There are no sidewalks or even marked shoulders, so pedestrians have no protection. Vegetation makes it impossible to leave the roadway. Vehicles coming around the blind curve from the north could easily hit pedestrians walking from the west. A sidewalk should be constructed on at least on side of Kinney, all the way from Barton Springs Road, up past the curve to the intersection at the top of the hill. This is one of the few roads that enters the Zilker/Barton Hills neighborhoods, so it would be valuable to have safe pedestrian access. Kinney Avenue at Virginia Avenue. Barton Springs Road at Kinney Avenue. There are no sidewalks along Kinney or the south side of Barton Springs Road, making pedestrian access difficult and dangerous. A sidewalk should be constructed on the south side on Barton Springs Road. (See also Kinney Avenue, south of Barton Springs Road above.) Move to Index for Problem #6

Comments: Photos by Art DiBianca, nice work! Move to Index for Problem #6

Suggested Solution: Speed enforcement. are needed Sidewalk construction. Vegetation control. Crosswalks. Move to Index for Problem #6

Current Status:Data gathering As of Mar 12, 1998, we have published the initial report of the problem and will fill in this report with exhibits as we can get them. Send in your evidence!! On May 6, 1998 pictures were added. The more the merrier. Move to Index for Problem #6

Status History: Mar 12, 1998: First reported by Art. April 1998: Art takes pictures and provides text to go with. April 1998: Art walks area with Keith Snodgrass, City of Austin Pedestrian and Bicycle Coordinator. Aug 12, 1998: Pictures digitized and the report exposed on the web site (sorry it took so long Art!!) Move to Index for Problem #6

Solution:   Solution Exhibit 1 Move to Index for Problem #6

Solution Exhibit 2:. Move to Index for Problem #6

Solution Exhibit 3 Move to Index for Problem #6

Solution Exhibit 4 Move to Index for Problem #6

Thank you... Lets Fix Robert E Lee Drive!.

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