The 2009 project and assessment review begins today in council chambers at the Austin Municipal Building.

Twelve street improvement projects will be reviewed, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

After the review, the city will discuss the highly anticipated second phase of the transportation plan for the Bustad subdivision area.

Affected property owners have received notices of the public information meetings.

“The purpose of the meetings is to discuss the proposed 2009 street and sidewalk reconstruction projects and to gather information regarding the work prior to the public hearings,” explained Jon Erichson, city engineer and director of public works.

Erichson and assistant city engineer Steven Lang will be on hand to explain the proposed projects.

The following projects will be reviewed:

5:30 to 6 p.m. (Southeast projects — Post Office area) First Street Southeast to Second to Fourth Avenue; Second Street Southeast to Second to Fourth Avenue; Third Street Southeast to First to Fourth Avenue; Second Avenue Southeast to Second to Fourth Street; Third Avenue Southeast to Main to Fourth Street; and Fourth Avenue Southeast to Main to Fourth Street.

6 to 6:30 p.m. (Southwest projects — Sterling area):

Second Avenue Southwest to 11th to 14th Street; Sixth Avenue Southwest to Sixth to 12th Street; Seventh Avenue Southwest to Sixth to Eighth Street; 11th Street Southwest to Second to Sixth Avenue; Ninth Street Southwest to Sixth to Eighth Avenue.

6:30 p.m. (Northeast projects — Industrial Park area): 16th Avenue Northeast to 11th Drive to 14th Street.

In all, the city is proposing 38 blocks of street and sidewalk reconstruction work this year excluding one of its most dynamic street improvement projects in recent history.

Beginning at 7 p.m., the city will unveil its second phase plans for 19th Avenue Southwest in the Bustad subdivision area.

The city constructed a dead-end cul-de-sac on 16th Avenue Southwest a year ago, Lang explained in a memo to residents in the area.

In addition, 17th Avenue Southwest from just east of Ninth Street to 12th Street was reconstructed.

The remaining portions of 16th and 17th Avenues were then closed to traffic to Fourth Drive Southwest.

A four-way stop was installed at the intersection of Ninth Street and 19th Avenue.

Traffic counts were performed both prior to construction and afterward, according to Lang.

The city’s second phase plans for 2009 are even more ambitious.

This year, the city proposes to construct a cul-de-sac on 17th Avenue Southwest just east of where construction ended a year ago.

The remaining portions of 16th and 17th Avenues will be removed, and a pedestrian trail will be constructed over to Fourth Drive Southwest.

In the Calvary Cemetery area, a private access road will be constructed from the cemetery’s exit on 17th Avenue to Fourth Drive.

Meanwhile, 19th Avenue Southwest is targeted to be reconstructed from Fourth Drive to 12th Street.

According to Lang, infrastructure upgrades will include storm sewer contraction from Ninth to 11th Street and sanitary sewer construction from Fourth Drive to Eighth Street.

Plans also include installing storm sewers along Fourth Drive to improve drainage at the intersection of 19th Avenue and Fourth Drive.

According to Lang, to improve pedestrian access, a sidewalk is planned to be constructed along the north side of 19th Avenue from Fourth Drive to just east of 10th Street.

Pedestrian curb ramps will be constructed at the intersections to provide handicap access.

No price tag from the street and sidewalk improvements was released.

The public hearing on the proposed street and sidewalk work will be held Tuesday evening during the regular Austin City Council meeting.