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Council hears calls to boost sidewalks funding as TPW outlines miles and capital plan
Summary
Multiple speakers and Transportation & Public Works staff outlined a multi-year gap in sidewalks construction and maintenance; TPW said FY26 operating budget proposes $8.4 million for sidewalk maintenance and a $34.5 million capital plan to build ~26 miles of new sidewalks, with a target of rehabilitating ~17 miles in FY26.
Speakers during public comment and several council members pressed the Austin City Council on July 29 to increase funding for sidewalks, urban trails and Vision Zero priorities as staff presented the FY2026 operating and capital plans.
Transportation & Public Works Director Richard Mendoza told council that TPW proposes $8.4 million in the FY26 operating budget for sidewalk maintenance and program management (aiming to rehabilitate about 17 miles of sidewalk) and $34.5 million in FY26 capital spending targeted at approximately 26 miles of new sidewalk construction tied to voter-approved bonds. TPW said those capital figures reflect bond programs from 2016, 2018 and 2020 and additional resources such as fee-in-lieu and federal grants. TPW also described a target of 80% of the network being "functionally acceptable" (meeting basic ADA thresholds); the department said the network has improved from about 25% in 2016 to roughly 47-50% today.
Public commenters including Hayden Blackwalker and Adam Greenfield urged the council to fund sidewalks, safe crossings, Vision Zero and safe routes to schools in the budget; Greenfield asked for $10 million annually for maintenance plus a one-time allocation to sustain the sidewalk program until the next bond. Council members asked how quickly bond proceeds could be appropriated if voters approve the proposed 2026 bond; staff said funds could be appropriated and spent within months after council adoption of a spending plan, not necessarily requiring full bond issuance to start some work.
TPW said FY27 capital spending for sidewalks drops to about $5.8 million in the plan absent new bond proceeds and that the operating maintenance funding increases represent a multiple-fold increase since 2016. TPW and council agreed to explore whether more certain operating allocations can be included earlier in the budget alternatives given the city's constrained revenue picture, with staff noting the traditional split between bonds for new capital and operating funds for maintenance.
