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Austin Mobility News: April 13, 2020

Your weekly news update from the City of Austin Transportation Department
Red, yellow and blue icons of the Austin skyline with people traveling by bicycles, scooter and on foot on the sidewalk and cars, trucks and buses traveling along the roadway
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In this week's edition:

COVID-19 update: Wear fabric face coverings outside the home

Image with Text: Wear Fabric Face Coverings and AustinTexas.gov/COVID19, Image also contains a 3 step process of how to create your own fabric face mask with a T-shirt. Step 1 - Cut the bottom of a t-shirt. Step 2 - Cut out a part of t-shirt to create strings. Step 3 - Tie strigs around neck, then over top of head.

Consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Austin-Travis County is recommending the use of fabric face coverings by the general public when conducting essential activities or essential business outside of their residence in order to further slow the spread of COVID-19. This recommendation provides an additional protective measure to prevent asymptomatic carriers from spreading the virus.

“This is another piece of a complex process to slow the spread and flatten the curve in our community," explained Dr. Mark Escott, Austin-Travis County Interim Health Authority. "While you might otherwise feel well and healthy, we need everyone’s help to prevent the potential asymptomatic spread to others who could face more severe symptoms.”

It is critical to understand that a face covering does not substitute for the need to maintain physical distancing and the Stay Home-Work Safe Order. Face coverings, combined with physical distancing, may further decrease the risk of spread.

Scarves or bandanas are easy household items that can serve as a face covering. Plenty of do-it-yourself resources are also available online, including guidance from the CDC and guidance from Austin Public Health

The recommendation is for use of fabric face coverings and not medical-grade masks or N-95 respirators, which are in short supply and should be conserved for healthcare workers and first responders. To donate much needed personal protective equipment, visit Austin Disaster Relief Network's website.

For maximum effectiveness, the face covering should cover both the nose and mouth and attach securely behind the ears. Coverings should be washed after each use with hot water and detergent and hands should be washed immediately after touching the cover.

Face coverings should not be placed on young children younger than two years old, anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cover without assistance. 

For the latest information and resources for COVID-19, visit the City of Austin's COVID-19 resource page.

Reminder: Austin Transportation accepting temporary pick-zone installation requests

A person installing a new street sign that reads Food Pick-Up Priority
Last month, Austin Transportation began installing temporary curbside customer pick-up zones in support of local restaurants transitioning to take-out and delivery-only service. These pick-up zones help the Austin community practice physical distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while supporting local businesses. An online interactive map shows customers where these pick-up zones are located.

Restaurants currently offering pick-up and delivery can still request a temporary pick-up zone to be installed in front of their restaurant by completing the contact form at SmartMobilityATX.com.

Read more about this initiative.  

It'd be a lot safer if you did: Matthew McConaughey asks Austinites to Stay Home – Work Safe

Matthew McConaughey recently joined Austin Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt to urge his fellow Austinites to stay home as we work to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

McConaughey, whom Eckhardt introduced as Austin's "Minister of Culture," adds his voice to the chorus of local leaders urging young adults, especially college students, to stay home except for essential activities and to maintain six feet of physical distance from others if they need to leave home.

“The virus doesn’t spread unless we spread it,” McConaughey said. “If you feel great, that doesn’t mean you don’t have the virus and can't spread it. Take care of yourself and you’ll be taking care of others. No matter how good you feel, stay home if you can. If there’s a city that can come together and build for a better tomorrow, it’s Austin, Texas.”

Watch the complete video.

Lights, Camera, Safety PSA contest deadline extended to Aug. 3

A movie poster styled graphic with a giant but friendly looking armadillo in a crossing guard safety vest with a stop sign towers over students in front of a school. Text reads: It's Coming!! A Monster-Sized Public Service Announcement Content, It's... Lights, Camera, Safety Learn More: AustinTexas.gov/LightsCameraSafety.
Calling Austin middle school students! Looking to show off your creativity? The Public Works Department's Safe Routes to School program has extended the deadline for their Lights, Camera, Safety Public Service Announcement (PSA) contest to Aug. 3, 2020. Create a short video showing how to walk, bike, and roll to school safely and you could win an Alamo Drafthouse gift card and have your film shown in middle schools across Austin! 

While students aren't walking and biking to school right now, staying active and being a safety all-star are always in style. 😎 Follow these tips to stay safe while making your PSA:
  • Follow the CDC's physical distancing guidelines.
  • Stay close to home while walking and biking – no need to film your PSA at school.
  • Cast family members as the stars of your PSA – don't gather with others outside of your household. 
Check out the contest rules and learn how to submit your video online at the Lights, Camera, Safety contest website.

Calendar Corner: April 13 - 19, 2020

Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) Online Open Houses 

CAMPO is developing the 2045 Regional Transportation Plan, a multimodal approach to addressing congestion and transportation needs in the Austin region over the next 25 years. CAMPO is also developing the Transportation Improvement Program, which covers a four-year time period and lists projects that have funding and will be ready to begin construction in the 2021-2024 time frame.

CAMPO is accepting comments on the 2045 Plan and the 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program until Monday, April 20, 2020. CAMPO is holding online open houses this week, you can find more information on how to participate here. Need more information? Call (512) 215-9351. Want to leave a comment by voicemail? Call (737) 708-8144.
  • Date: Monday, April 13, 2020
  • Time: 12-1 p.m.
  • Place: Online
  • Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2020
  • Time: 10-11 a.m.
  • Place: Online
  • Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2020
  • Time: 4-5 p.m.
  • Place: Online
  • Date: Thursday, April 16, 2020
  • Time: 7-8 p.m.
  • Place: Online

Impact Fee Advisory Committee Virtual Meeting

The Impact Fee Advisory Committee will consider approving comments regarding policy and ordinance recommendations for City Council's consideration of a Street Impact Fee. A Street Impact Fee would be a charge assessed on new development to pay for the construction or expansion of roadway facilities that are necessitated by and benefit that new development.
  • Agenda
  • Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2020
  • Time: 4 - 6 p.m.
  • Place: Online or by phone
    • Join via Zoom Conference (Webinar ID: 685 428 683) or call (346) 248-7799 or (669) 900-6833
    • If you experience technical difficulties logging in or calling in, please call Liane Miller at (512) 289-3053
Please note: Anyone wishing to speak during the public comment section of the agenda must register in advance by emailing their name, email address and phone number to Liane.Miller@AustinTexas.gov no later than today, April 13, 2020, at 5 p.m. Please indicate in your email if you’d like to speak on a specific item. The first 10 speakers signed up will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items NOT posted on the agenda. Speakers who would like to address items ON the agenda will be called on by the Chair to speak for up to three-minutes when that item is taken up.

About the City of Austin Transportation Department

The City of Austin Transportation Department works to provide a safe, efficient, innovative, cost-effective and sustainable transportation system that connects roadways, bikeways, walkways and transit systems in order to bring improved access and mobility to our community. We are taking proactive steps to engage and educate the community, which is why you received this news update. Visit AustinTexas.gov/Transportation.
Austin Transportation and Public Works Department
P.O. Box 1088
Austin, Texas 78767

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