Help Austin Keep Healthy Streets

Written By Alex Ecenia

Healthy Streets ensure safer mobility in Austin with soft closures on select local streets.

In response to the COVID 19 pandemic, Austin City Council directed Austin Transportation (Resolution 20200507-062) to create places that promote physical and mental health and provide safe options to access jobs and services. Called “Healthy Streets,” people can more comfortably use these low-traffic areas for activities like walking, wheelchair rolling, running, and bicycling with enough space to maintain physical distance. Healthy Streets are achieved by creating “soft closures” on select local streets to through traffic and maintaining local access only for residents, deliveries, and emergency vehicles. 

In just months, the impact of Healthy Streets has been profound. We’ve seen what happens when streets are rebalanced for everyone, not just cars: people pushing strollers, children on bicycles, smiling neighbors waving to each other. This is a happier Austin and people want more.

The Healthy Streets program is crucial for safety and wellbeing. As the pandemic drags on, socially-distanced exercise is still vital. Street safety also remains a major issue: there have been 63 fatalities this year in Austin (compared to 53 at this point in 2019), including 4 bicyclists tragically killed in August. In a city aiming for zero deaths by 2025, this is the wrong direction.


Please take these actions now and encourage others to do the same:

  1. Leave comments on all Healthy Streets you've visited

  2. Take the City's Healthy Streets survey

  3. Email HealthyStreets@AustinTexas.gov with your support for Healthy Streets (BCC: info@bikeaustin.org)

Healthy Streets are implemented or coming soon along these initial roadway segments:

  • Bouldin Ave. / S 3rd St. / Garden Villa Ln. from Banister Ln. to Barton Springs Rd.  

  • Comal St. from Manor Rd. to Lady Bird Lake  

  • Country Club Creek Trail extension (Trail, Wickersham Ln., Oltorf St., Pleasant Valley Rd., Ventura Dr., Madera Dr.) from  Mabel Davis Park to Lakeshore Dr. 

  • Riverside Dr. from Lamar Blvd. to South 1st St. 

  • Pleasant Valley Rd. from Canterbury St. To S. Lakeshore Blvd. 

  • Avenue G from 38th Street to 56th Street,

  • Belfast Drive from Broadmoor Drive to Cameron Road, and

  • Street segments comprising Marsh Drive, Leo Street, Seminary Ridge Drive and Whispering Oaks Drive from West Slaughter Lane to West William Cannon Drive.

To get more information or ask questions about Healthy Streets, visit the project website or contact the project team via email at HealthyStreets@AustinTexas.gov. 

Alex Ecenia