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New turn lanes, shared-use paths: 3 East Austin transportation updates to know

Here are some ongoing and completed transportation projects to check out in the East Austin area.

Cesar Chavez Street and Red Bluff Road
Project: The project includes safer intersections and lane configurations, protected bicycle lanes, new left-turn lanes, transit access and improved bus stops and new pedestrian crossings. The city will extend the Colorado River Trail between Longhorn Dam and Shady Lane.
Update: The city held community meetings to receive feedback in April.

Airport Boulevard Shared-Use Path
Project: The city of Austin completed a new shared-use path along the west side of Airport Boulevard between East 51st Street and Middle Fiskville Road.
Update: The project reached completion in early April.

Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Springdale Road and Heflin Lane intersection
Project: The city dedicated a northbound left-turn bay on Springdale Road and converted Heflin Lane to right-in/right-out only. The corridor received ​​relocated and upgraded CapMetro bus stops as well as added raised bike lanes, restriped high-visibility crosswalks and new shared-use paths.
Update: The project reached completion in late February.

 
Latest City News
Austin budget talks begin with potential spending cuts, tax increases

Budget planning for Austin's upcoming fiscal year 2026-27 is underway, and city officials are weighing likely funding reductions while addressing rising costs and slowing revenue.

The details: The city's financial situation is due in part to slowing tax revenue partially caused by broader economic factors. Deputy budget director Erik Nelson pointed to national impacts like "stubbornly high" inflation, war-related energy price shocks and high interest rates that are affecting consumer activity and new development.

While the city isn't planning to invest in any major new programs, Austin's general fund—the largely tax-supported portion of the budget covering most public-facing services—is expected to grow about 3% in FY 2026-27. Within current constraints, millions of dollars in cuts are being considered to create a balanced budget plan while maintaining general services and programs.

What's next: City officials will also consider tax increases that'd likely raise the typical homeowner's property tax bill anywhere from roughly $100-$150. More information on potential changes to the budget and final taxing decisions will be coming throughout the summer.

 

Your Weekend To-Do List

Check out these weekend events across the metro area.

2026 Red Poppy Festival

Eeyore’s Birthday Party

April 24-26, times vary
Georgetown

April 25, 11 a.m.
Austin

More info

More info

 

Austin Blues Festival

Mini-Con 2026

April 25-26
Austin

April 25, 2-5 p.m.
Cedar Park

More info

More info

 
To submit your own event, click here.

CI Texas
ERCOT forecasts quadruple growth in electric demand, warns estimate is likely overinflated

Demand on the Texas power grid could more than quadruple in the next six years, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas announced April 15.

The details: The state grid operator projected that peak electric demand could hit 367,790 megawatts by 2032—more than four times the current demand record of 85,508 megawatts, which was set during an August 2023 heat wave. Much of this forecasted growth is due to data centers, according to ERCOT documents.

However, ERCOT leaders warned that the growth forecast is “preliminary” and needs adjustments.

What's happening: During an April 17 meeting, ERCOT officials told the Public Utility Commission of Texas that they plan to work with utility providers to issue a revised forecast in the coming weeks.

“I think it's clear we need to engage in the process and look at ways to refine this number to something that's more usable,” PUC Chair Thomas Gleeson said.

Stay tuned: ERCOT said it expects peak electric demand on the grid this summer will hit between 90,500-98,000 megawatts, which would shatter the current demand record.

 

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General Manager

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