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Change would come after bridge construction is completed on I-90 bridge at Fourth Street NW

 

During its work session Monday night, the Austin City Council acknowledged a desire to return the intersections with temporary street lights on 14th Street NW to four-way stops, likely late this fall.

City Engineer Steven Lang brought the conversation forward as the city looks ahead to the completion of the bridge at Fourth Street NW over Interstate 90. 

The temporary lights have been at work at the intersections of Fourth Avenue and Eighth Avenue NW ever since work began on the bridge to help better handle increased traffic flows on 14th Street, however, traffic will change once again when construction comes to an end in November. 

There was talk of a few options during the work session, one of which included putting in permanent lights at an estimated cost of $500,000 per intersection, but council members largely agreed it was just as easy to go back to the four-way stops.

“I feel like we have lots of other ways to spend a million dollars,” Laura Helle said.

“I would think going back to the four way stop would be adequate,” Jeff Austin agreed.

It’s also hoped that the roundabouts that will be built into the 14th Street Bridge when construction starts next spring, will also help alleviate traffic pressures on the road.

After the Fourth Street NW bridge is finished this fall, along with the completion of resurfacing work and bridge replacement on the westbound lane of Interstate 90, the winter will be free of bridge work until spring of 2026 when work begins on 14th Street NW.

Traffic will be shifted to one lane of the bridge while construction is done on the other and will flip when work is completed.

Short-term detours will shift over to the Fourth Street NW bridge.