The Republic Tower Development

WGI completed transportation planning and traffic engineering analysis on a re-development of a site in the heart of Downtown Austin across from Republic Square Park. A surface parking lot currently occupies the site; it is planned to be a 700-foot office tower with up to 900,000 square feet of space. WGI helped plan access to the building on surrounding blocks with transit-priority and protected bicycle lanes, improve pedestrian circulation in the surrounding area, and improve vehicle flow during peak hour operations. 

With respect to mitigations, WGI recommendations included two new traffic signals near the access locations to help protect pedestrians and increase vehicle flow during peak hours. WGI recommendations also included some turn restrictions in the area and leading pedestrian intervals (LPIs) at existing intersections along Guadalupe Street, one of the City’s busiest corridors downtown. Additional protections for bicyclists on adjacent facilities were included in the site’s design. Curb space was re-envisioned to provide better service for transit vehicles and passenger and commercial loading. 

The project also was subject to a TDM plan, which WGI developed in concert with the developer. Through aggressive transit and bicycle strategies, such as reduced transit fares for employees and a bicycle valet for secure bicycle parking and maintenance, the project targeted a 40 percent reduction in single-occupancy vehicle trips to and from the parking garages.