Ending crashes, pedestrian deaths is the goal for construction on Burnet Road Corridor

AUSTIN (KXAN) — With construction bids on a segment of the Burnet Road Mobility Program opening in a few weeks, the City of Austin's already started advertising for the improvements it says will make the major road safer for drivers and pedestrians.

The first phase of the program established a Corridor Mobility Plan for Burnet Road, it laid out that improvements would be made in several segments over several years.

Construction bids will open May 8 for the C4 Segment of the Burnet Road Corridor from U.S. 183 to Bright Verde Way in North Austin.

Joseph Atika is the city's Capital Delivery Project Manager for the Burnet Road Corridor. He said the improvements for this segment include upgrades for bike lanes and pedestrians, as well as improvements to the road's bus stops and traffic signals.

Atika said Burnet Road sees as many as 60 crashes a month, some of which involve pedestrians. He said once these improvements are made, the number of collisions should also decline.

"We want people to go back home to their loved ones safely every time they go out. Especially Burnet Road, it was identified as one that required some upgrades to actually ensure that," Atika said.

According to the city's information page on the project, the estimated cost of the C4 improvements is $23.8 million, with construction starting this spring and ending in fall 2026.