Breaking Down the Bond

On May 26, Mayor Steve Adler announced his bond proposal for the November election. Some of the specifics remain unclear, but here are some relevant figures.

Funds

$500 million: Current bond capacity that could be funded with no tax increase.

$300 million: The amount of that $500 million that Adler proposes going toward this year's bond.

$200 million: The rest of the $500 million, which Adler proposes go to the bond advisory committee for next year's deliberations.

$420 million: The estimated amount that would need to come from a tax increase to fund the rest of the proposed bond. Thus:

~$720 million: The total bond package?

Needs

$800 million: The estimated amount it would cost to make North and South Lamar, Airport, Guada­lupe, Riverside, Burnet Road, and East MLK/FM 969 "smart corridors." Included in the mayor's proposal are plans to add turn lanes, allowing turning cars to be separated from traffic continuing straight ahead; smart traffic lights that can be managed from headquarters (and could eventually be upgraded to automatically adjust to weather, congestion, and accidents); pullouts for bus stops that cut into the curb and sidewalk; "queue jump" signals that allow buses to go before the light is green for cars; and protected bike paths. With TIFs (tax increment financing), PIDs (public improvement districts), and developer agreements, the mayor hopes to reduce the amount that would need to be funded by the bond to $450-550 million.

$75-125 million: The estimated amount that would go to fixing bottlenecks at 360, Parmer, Brodie, and other frustrating intersections outside of Central Austin.

$50-100 million: The estimated amount that would go to improving sidewalks and trails.

$20 million: The estimated amount that would go to fixing dangerous intersections. City Coun­cil has already taken steps to fix the five worst intersections; this would go to addressing the next set.

$20 million: The amount that would go to funding a portion of the Bike Master Plan.

~$615-$815 million: Total of the above needs.