AUSTIN, Texas — South Lamar Boulevard is one of Austin's busiest streets. It's constantly riddled with traffic – and it's about to get worse.
On July 14, crews with Austin Energy will start construction along the corridor, replacing utility poles and upgrading wires as part of the South Lamar Corridor Project.
The purpose is to increase energy capacity, according to Austin Energy's Power System Managing Engineer John Powell.
Powell said 8,000 customers will benefit from the upgrades.
"It's the kind of service our customers expect," Powell said. "They expect that when they turn the lights on, that they have power. And that's what this project will provide."
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The project is merged with the city's Corridor Program Officer's Mobility Bond Project, which is set to enhance infrastructure to improve areas for drivers, pedestrians and people who use transit for transportation.
But Powell said the first part starts with Austin Energy and will be broken up into three phases along South Lamar Boulevard.
The phases will be done at the following areas:
- Phase 1: West Oltorf Street to West Mary Street
- Phase 2: West Mary Street to Treadwell Street
- Phase 3: Treadwell Street to Barton Springs Road
Powell said they should be completed by February, with each phase taking one or two months to finish. The other portion of the project, directed by the city, will begin in January.
"Anyone who travels on South Lamar will notice the residential and commercial development that's occurred in that region. This project supports that growth," Powell said.
However, some who work in the area have qualms over the upcoming construction.
Margarito Arando has run Sazon restaurant on South Lamar for roughly 18 years. He said he isn't 100% behind the project, as he fears it could affect business and cause more accidents along the road.
"We're a small business and not necessarily a destination spot," Aranda said. "So people will stop on their way home – leaving the office and whatnot. And with the extra stoppages, the cutting down to one lane or whatnot, people are just going to get ... they're not going to want to stop."
Aranda added, "I think all the added construction and any any lane closures that are eventually going to happen, it's just going to lead to more fender benders.
Powell noted that the department created a city-approved traffic control plan in an effort to best accommodate drivers and bicyclists.
The overall goal is to support the explosive growth to the neighborhood, which Austin Energy noted is something they can't stop but can get ahead of.
"There's going to be growing pains between now and then, and we're just going to have to grin and bear it," Aranda said.
Boomtown is KVUE's series covering the explosive growth in Central Texas. For more Boomtown stories, head to KVUE.com/Boomtown.