Austin leaders roll out sidewalk expansions, barriers and traffic changes on Sixth Street; city to monitor effects

Mayor Kerr Watson and Police Chief Davis announced at a public event in downtown Austin that the city will expand sidewalks, install barriers and change traffic patterns on Sixth Street and will monitor the effects as the area reopens to vehicle traffic Thursday through Sunday.

The announcement matters because Sixth Street is a longtime cultural and entertainment corridor in downtown Austin that city leaders said draws large numbers of visitors and residents; officials described the measures as intended to make the corridor safer and more walkable while preserving its role as a venue for live music and nightlife.

At the event hosted at a downtown restaurant, Mayor Kerr Watson described Sixth Street as “la esquina de la sala donde todo mundo se reúne” and said the city must act to keep the area “segura… para los peatones,” tying the changes to broader efforts to sustain downtown…