Northwest Austin Edition | April 2023

TRANSPORTATION UPDATES CapMetro outlines progress on Transit Police Department hiring Capital Metro officials shared

COMPILED BY GRACE DICKENS

ONGOING PROJECTS

PUBLIC SAFETY OVERVIEW

There are three main components to Capital Metro’s developing public safety program. Here are the total hiring goals for the department. Transit Police Department Focus on incidents in need of law enforcement By end of 2023: 5 sworn officers, 3 civilian officers By 2027: 46 sworn officers, 11 civilian officers Public safety ambassadors Respond to service calls from riders and employees, complete patrols Current: 16 ambassadors By summer: 24 ambassadors Intervention specialists Work with community issues, such as homelessness and mental health concerns Current: Hiring goals for this role have been met with 3 specialists

BOARDWALK DR.

ANDERSON MILL RD.

183

service from riders and employees, complete area checks of bus stops and ride the bus system. The first team of eight ambassadors began in October 2021, and CapMetro has since hired a second team as well, CapMetro Director of Security Darryl Jamail said. The final goal for hiring is to have three teams of eight for 24 total public safety ambassadors who switch off in shifts, Jamail said. The department is hoping to hire on the third team this summer, according to CapMetro. Intervention specialists Intervention specialists work with individuals experiencing home- lessness, mental health concerns, substance use and other community issues. Two intervention specialists began in October 2021, and a third interven- tion specialist was added to the team in fiscal year 2023, Jamail said.

program goals at the March 27 board meeting for the CapMetro Transit Police Department, which launched in 2021 and includes public safety ambassadors, intervention specialists and a transit police force. Transit Police Department The completion of the Transit Police Department facility is sched- uled for early 2024, Transit Police Chief Administrator Eric Robins said. This facility will be located at 8200 Cameron Road, Austin, and serve as a hub for the department. The goal for hiring in 2023 includes five sworn transit police officers and three civilian officers, Robins said. The force plans to have 46 sworn transit police officers along with 11 civilian officers by 2027. Public safety ambassadors Ambassadors respond to calls for

PAVILION BLVD.

BELL AVE.

ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF APRIL 11. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT NWANEWS@COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM. Funding sources: Texas Department of Transportation, Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority US 183 North expansion As work continues on the US 183 North project, there are various overnight closures from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. planned for the area. Through May 31, there is a continuous right-lane closure on southbound US 183 frontage road from Pavilion Boulevard to Bell Avenue. The two right lanes of the northbound US 183 frontage road will also be closed between Boardwalk Drive and Anderson Mill Road through May 31. Timeline: January 2022-26 Cost: $612 million

SOURCE: CAPITAL METRO/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Dell Children’s Medical Center North Campus

Most advanced pediatric specialty care

NOW OPEN — 24/7 pediatric ER care

35 Dell Children’s Medical Center North Campus 9010 N. Lake Creek Parkway Austin, TX 78717

183A

183

From a name in Austin you already trust — closer to home

Dell Children’s Medical Center is open near you! Now pediatric specialty care, including around-the-clock ER and trauma care, specialized surgical care, pediatric imaging, and outpatient rehab services, are right here, closer to where you live and work — without leaving Austin. You can schedule with specialists today! Many of our pediatric specialists are now in a new medical building on the same north campus.

Start a conversation with a pediatric specialist today ascension.org/DellChildrensNorth

Only in Austin . Only at Dell Children’s .

NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION • MAY 2023