What's up with the new barriers on Sixth Street?
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin has replaced the temporary fencing on Sixth Street with a different temporary structure: 42-inch water-filled barriers.
The structures are meant to separate car traffic from foot traffic, as the street is now open to cars full-time, as opposed to closing down on Thursday-Sunday nights.
The change came in January as a means to prevent late-night crowds that often grow unruly and sometimes violent, Police Chief Lisa Davis said when she announced the plan.
“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 City said in a press release last week. “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.”
Crews installed the new barriers Friday.
As the city reiterates both these – and the original fencing – are meant to be temporary, officials have not provided an exact timeline as to when permanent changes will go into effect. Chief Davis has said city staff are exploring several different options for barriers.
In April, the city council passed a resolution directing the city manager’s office to look into the best barrier and sidewalk-widening options – among other things – and a full report on that is due in December.
According to the Austin Police Department, opening the street back up to cars has led to a decrease in both arrests and officer injuries.
