Sixth Street to get new barriers ahead of summer crowds
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The city of Austin will replace the temporary barriers along Sixth Street with a “more durable” alternative until the city can install permanent barriers, according to a Thursday press release from the city.
The replacement is necessary because of damage to the barriers from cars and crowds, according to the city.
“The rubber curbs, white flex posts, and fencing installed in January were never meant to be permanent, but a temporary safety measure as the City assessed the results of the changes and explored permanent barrier solutions,” the release said. “After several months in use, the temporary fencing has weakened due to vehicles running over the fence footings and crowds leaning against it during peak hours. Last weekend, some of the fencing fell into the roadway.”
City Transportation and Public Works Department workers removed the damaged sections Thursday, and were in the process of installing the replacements.
“We’re encouraged by the results so far and excited to see the project moving into the next phase of finding intermittent infrastructure and then the final phase of permanent infrastructure,” said Austin Deputy City Manager Jon Fortune. “We are that much closer to achieving the goal shared by Mayor Kirk Watson, our City Council, and many business and property owners along Sixth Street of reinvigorating and revitalizing this iconic district, and making it a place where everyone feels welcome, safe and can have great time.”
City council has yet to decide on what the final barriers will be, according to the release.
The city also said that reopening the street allowed Austin Police to deploy fewer resources and decreased APD’s use of force by 50% in the area.
“Anecdotally, APD officers have observed a noticeable decrease in fights in the entertainment district,” the release reads.
