PROPOSITION B, A $460M SAFE MOBILITY BOND, TO GO ON THE AUSTIN NOVEMBER BALLOT

MEDIA ALERT
For more information, contact:
Ted Siff, 512-657-5414
ted@parkplacepubs.com

August 20, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PROPOSITION B, A $460M SAFE MOBILITY BOND, TO GO ON THE AUSTIN NOVEMBER BALLOT

Voters to decide in the November election whether to make a historic investment in bike lanes, urban trails, sidewalks, and safe streets across Austin.

AUSTIN — After collecting support from almost 100 businesses and organizations and more than 3,200 members of the public, the Austin Outside coalition of nonprofits and businesses has won its campaign for a $460 million Safe Mobility Bond on the November ballot. On Thursday, August 13th, City Council voted to add the Safe Mobility Bond to the November 2020 Ballot as Proposition B. 

Proposition B includes $80 million for sidewalks, $120 million for urban trails and bikeways, $65 million for street safety improvements and Vision Zero, $20 million for Safe Routes to School, $19 million for transit enhancements, $1 million for the Neighborhood Partnering Program, $102 million for large capital projects, and $53 million for improvements to substandard streets.⠀

AO Board President, Joanna Wolaver says, “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to make a generational investment towards Austin’s mobility goals. By supplementing Project Connect (Proposition A) with this Safe Mobility Bond, we can make significant progress towards the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan’s (ASMP) goal of 50% of trips by 2039 being taken in a way other than driving alone. Through building out safe and comfortable sidewalks, bikeways, and trails, we can double or even triple the number of residents within a half-mile walk or a two-mile bike ride from a high-capacity transit stop.”

A vote for Proposition B would provide funds  for Austin to reach the Bicycle Master Plan goal of 80% build out of the All Ages and Abilities safe and convenient bike lane network by 2025, construct and repair about 100 miles of sidewalks, give comprehensive mobility safety with substantial funding for the Vision Zero safety program, fill sidewalk and bike network gaps along school routes, and advance mobility equity by making multimodal improvements to streets in the eastern crescent. It would also fund large active mobility projects like $16m for the bicycle and pedestrian bridge near Longhorn Dam, and $30m for the initial phase of the Congress Avenue redesign.⠀

Through Proposition B, Austin voters have a historic opportunity to make a significant investment this November to improve our city’s active transportation network for future Austinites. Austin Outside will be launching a public campaign in favor of Proposition B in the coming weeks.

# # #

About Austin Outside

Austin Outside’s mission is to champion outdoor places for all throughout Greater Austin. We’re a coalition of nonprofits and businesses who believe in the power of our collective impact. For more information, visit www.austinoutside.org 

Media ReleaseKam McEvoy