I-35 Tops Gridlock Spots in Austin; N. Lamar Makes List

TxDOT has released their list of the 100 most congested roadways in Texas, and it will be no surprise to Austin drivers that I-35 from Hwy 71 all the way to Hwy 183 made the list. Not only was it the most congested roadway segment here in Austin, but it ranked #4 statewide.

But Austin's second-most congested spot isn't even a highway - it's North Lamar between 45th Street and 6th Street. This stretch of road, coming in at #24 on the statewide list, is the most-congested roadway segment that isn't a highway.

According to notes from the report, TxDOT doesn't have any current plans for improving the congestion on North Lamar. However, there is an idea to reconstruct the roadway to add managed lanes, and a hope that urban rail lines like Cap Metro Rail will help to alleviate some of the gridlock.

To view the entire list and read more on how TxDOT arrived at their conclusions, click here.

TxDOT: Safer Roads Mean Fewer Fatalities

The Texas Department of Transportation is crediting safer roads as a major factor in an 11% drop in road fatalities, according to a recent report.

In 2009, there were 388 fewer fatalities on highways in Texas. "This is great news for Texans, and evidence that the resources we’ve put into safety projects across the state are paying dividends in lives saved," Gov. Rick Perry said.

Over the past five years, TxDOT has concentrated $1.2 billion dollars on highway improvement projects that had the greatest potential to reduce crashes. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also attributes the decline to other factors as well, including improved seat belt usage, successful drunk driving and distracted driving campaigns, safer vehicles, and motorists cutting down on their driving.

The recent "Click It or Ticket" campaign has helped Texans set a new record of 93.8% statewide seat belt usage for 2010. Deirdre Delisi, Texas Transportation Commission chair, says the safety campaigns coupled with improved road safety have made a phenomenal difference.

"TxDOT and its law enforcement partners across the state conduct a variety of outreach campaigns encouraging motorists to drive safer. The agency's annual Click it or Ticket and the Drink, Drive, Go to Jail campaigns are examples of educational programs designed to change driver behavior," she said.

Seat Belts on Buses Face Funding Cuts As Date Looms

A 2007 law mandating three-point seat belts on all new Texas school buses takes effect this Wednesday. Any buses purchased after September 1st must be equipped with the seat belts. The law, HB 323, was drafted by State Rep. Mike Hamilton and State Sen. Eddie Lucio.

During the 2009 legislative session, lawmakers appropriated $10 million for fiscal year 2011 for the seat belt program, dependent on developing a plan to reimburse school districts for the cost associated with seat belts on new buses. That reimbursement plan, developed by the Texas Transportation Institute and Texas Education Agency, is complete. However, authorization by the Legislative Budget Board is pending.

A representative from TEA told local news outlet KXAN that the LBB has not yet approved the implementation and reimbursement plan, and that TEA is not authorized to implement the program until it's approved. Meanwhile, TEA recommended the fund be cut from $10 million to just $3.6 million.  TEA and other state agencies were asked to cite programs where cuts could be made in order to reach a 5 percent total budget decrease.

Cost to Fill Up Going Up in Austin

According to the AAA Texas Fuel Gage Report, gas prices in the Capitol City are inching up again.

After three straight weeks of price decreases, drivers in Central Texas paid $2.56 a gallon, up one cent. The price for a gallon of gas was $2.41 during the same time last year.

Statewide, the price was up three cents over last week to $2.59 a gallon. Nationwide, drivers are paying an average of $2.74.

No Phone Zone to Highlight Distracted Driving Problem

Oprah's influence has spread from Chicago to Austin, as the Texas Department of Transportation signs on as a partner in her "No Phone Zone" day tomorrow, April 30.

TxDOT plans to use signs all along Texas highways to promote putting down the cell phone while driving, with a particular emphasis on not texting while driving. Digital dynamic message signs will bear the messages, "Make Your Vehicle a No Phone Zone," or "Drive Now. Text or Talk Later."

More than 100,000 crashes were caused by distracted driving in Texas in 2008. Distracted driving includes not only cell phone use, but also talking with other people in the car, eating, smoking using dashboard controls, or simply reaching for something in their vehicle.

"There were 524 deaths in Texas in 2008 because of driver distraction," said Terry Pence, director of TxDOT’s Traffic Safety Program. "The statewide messages will remind drivers that April 30 is a no phone zone day, but we hope that all Texans will think about putting away the cell phones every time they get behind the wheel-not just on April 30."

You can visit distraction.gov for more information on distracted driving, or see Oprah's original "No Phone Zone" message below.

TCEQ Encourages School Buses to Clean Up Their Act

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will give school districts $1.7 million in grants to retrofit older school buses to reduce air pollution in Texas. The grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis and is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The buses would have pollution-control devices installed to reduce emissions that can aggravate respiratory problems, asthma and allergies, especially in the kids who rely on the buses for a ride to school.

School districts can apply for the grants by visiting texascleanschoolbus.org or calling 512-239-3143. The application deadline is April 30.

Buses Collide In After-School Accident; 62 Kids On Board

Two school buses collided this afternoon at the intersection of William Cannon Drive and Brodie Lane, according to the Austin Police Department.  There were no injuries to anyone aboard, including 62 children.

Both buses were coming from Covington Middle School, located less than half a mile away, when one bus rear-ended the other.  Carmen Luevanos, an AISD spokeswoman, reported that all of the students refused medical attention.

Police said that the northbound lanes of Brodie just south of William Cannon were affected.


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Black Star Co-Op Gives Away Beer, Asks for Memberships to Support Unique Business Form

Friday, 60 new members signed up to be a member-owner of Austin's Black Star Co-Op, which uses a unique business model to operate. When you sign up, you become an actual part business owner. So far, the Co-Op has more than 1,500 members. Learn more from Steven Yarak with Black Star Co-Op to find out how this brew pub is doing, and how the rail line that runs right next to the co-op (Crestview Station) is making it easier than ever to drink beer!

Traffic Flow Changes at 51st and Airport

The City of Austin will install traffic safety devices over the weekend due to safety concerns about the Capital Metro Red Line train crossing at 51st Street and Clarkson Ave., near Airport Blvd.

Currently, drivers are at risk as vehicles at the red light on Clarkson Ave. are stopping on the railroad tracks, despite warnings from police and signs around the intersection. The city will install flexible posts and signs this weekend, preventing northbound right turns and southbound left turns from Clarkson Ave. onto 51st Street.


The safety measures this weekend are only considered to be a first step. The city will continue to watch this intersection to determine if more restrictive measures are needed, such as making Clarkson Ave. a one-way street northbound and southbound away from the railroad tracks, installing a median barrier on 51st Street, or putting in a traffic signal at the intersection.