Traffic Impacts, Road Closures and Parking
- What is the University doing to update the campus community on traffic impacts, parking and road closures?
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All construction projects are dynamic and subject to change, and we strive to communicate changes as far in advance as they can be communicated, often with advance notice with date ranges, followed later with specific dates.
Construction Advisory emails go to the campus community when construction work plans and approximate dates are available. When that work has a parking or traffic impact, those details are also shared through emails. The sent emails are published on the Capital Planning and Construction (CPC) Moody Center and Red River Street Realignment Projects page and on the Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) Parking Disruptions page. The emails are also posted to the Financial and Administrative Services (FAS) and Parking and Transportation Services social media accounts (@UTAustinFAS, @UT_FinAdminSvcs, @utaustinparking). In addition, PTS may send targeted emails to permit holders. Project managers work with PTS, contractors and others to develop and place signage on-site.
Pedestrian, Bicycle and Other Non-Vehicle Travel
- What is the university doing to help keep cyclists, pedestrians and other non-vehicle travelers safe during construction?
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The same general safety measures are in place as for all other modes of transportation, including signage and, as needed, flaggers to direct cyclists, pedestrians and others to stop/go or use a different lane. While we continue to evaluate the changing conditions for construction on, through and around campus, we are reaching a state where changes or modifications cannot be accomplished without significantly impacting one or more of our multiple constituencies, and significant changes to the approach on temporary alternative routes should not be expected.
However, we are reviewing the signage and barricade configuration at Red River St. and Littlefield Dr. to address safety for all modes, which has the potential to improve the route for cyclist safety. It’s too soon to say for certain, but our construction planners are hopeful.
Reaching a balance where the temporary impacts to all modes are mitigated to acceptable levels for the different constituencies has been our goal. While not near ideal, we are at a point where our construction planners and our team believe the current state and condition is at that balance.
- What is the university doing to minimize the impact of these projects on pedestrians, cyclists and others?
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In addition to Construction Advisories, social media, and on-site signage, the project team works with the contractors to schedule deliveries and large trucks around the daily class schedule as much as possible.
- How is the university addressing the impact of the projects on students and others with disabilities?
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All of the university’s capital projects must be inspected by a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation reviewer during the design stage and following construction to assure the projects comply with Texas Accessibility Standards. Prior to construction, the project manager contacts the University ADA Coordinators in the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement and keeps them informed as far in advance as possible when pathways are modified.
- What is the university doing to ensure the Moody Center and Red River Realignment construction projects incorporate infrastructure that supports the bicycle and scooter communities once the projects are completed?
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Robert Dedman will be realigned to include separated bike/scooter lanes and additional bike/scooter racks to support these modes of transportation.
General Safety
- How is the university ensuring the projects result in a safe environment for the campus community and visitors?
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Every UT Austin capital project must comply with the university’s standards for minimum light levels for all walking paths, roadways and parking lots during construction as well as after the project is completed. Projects also incorporate emergency call boxes and security cameras.
Sustainability, Environmental Protection
- What is the university doing to ensure that environmentally sensitive features are protected as part of its construction program?
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As is done with all of its construction sites, the university has performed a thorough Environmental Site Assessment to ensure there are no environmentally sensitive features. Neither the Moody Center nor the Red River Realignment sites have environmentally sensitive features.
- What is the University doing to ensure the projects maintain air and water quality during construction?
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All university construction projects are required to comply with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) rules for air quality and storm water pollution prevention. UT has been delegated authority by TCEQ to enforce these rules under an MS-4 permit (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) and the University’s Storm Water Management Program. The projects are regularly inspected by Environmental Health and Safety staff along with construction inspectors and third-party consultants to verify compliance in the field.
- How is the university ensuring the project improves water quality after construction?
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UT Austin requires that the design of permanent storm water facilities comply with its MS-4 permit. Essentially, this requires that the project include facilities that improve water quality and reduce flow of storm water to nearby waterways. This is often accomplished with water gardens and bioswales. Bioswales are detention systems that promote infiltration and recharge of the aquifer.