April 01st, 2021

SH45 SW Extension Removed from Austin Plan
The road warriors were at it again, but we fought back and won. The Texas Department ofTransportation (TxDOT) requested that the City of Austin add an extension of SH45 in Southwest Austin to the City's long-range transportation plan, known as the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan (ASMP). If completed, SH 45 SW would directly connect to IH-35, effectively turning SH 45 & MoPac into a western bypass route for Hays County commuters.  By TxDOT's own commissioned estimates, building this extension could increase traffic on MoPac by 6-11% and on Brodie Lane by upwards 17.6%. 
 
After hearing from the Save Our Springs Alliance and Austin's Urban Transportation Commission, the Planning Commission voted to recommend the removal of the highway improvement from the ASMP. The Planning Commission even went further adopting action language that would require the City to oppose any proposed extension or expansion of SH45. Special thanks to Planning Commissioners Greg Anderson, Karen McGraw, Patricia Seeger and Conor Kenny for leading the charge on the roadway's removal. The Austin City Council will likely consider adoption of the ASMP sometime in April, and we will continue to advocate against this sprawl-inducing highway project and for more environmentally responsible mobility solutions. 


​Save Our Springs has been nominated for an Armadillo Award in the Soul of Austin category. 
Voting is open until April 5th. Over 1,136 local businesses have been nominated in seven categories.  
 Click here to vote!  
The finalists in each category will be honored at the Armadillo Awards Party on April 25th. 
 
 
Barton Creek Book Released, Book signing April 6th at BookPeople
Hear the stories behind "Barton Creek," a major new book by local author Ed Crowell, at 2 p.m. Saturday April 6 at BookPeople. Ed will talk about his journeys with photographer Alberto Martinez along the creek from Barton Springs Pool to its source in northwest Hays County.His interviews and observations form what Ken Kramer (longtime former director of the Sierra Club's state chapter) describes as "a tale of environmental advocacy, a study of nature, and a revelation to many who value the creek but are unaware of its history or the challenges to its preservation."

SOS Executive Director, Bill Bunch is featured in the book.
Pam LeBlanc, outdoors and fitness writer, will lead the discussion and book signing. 
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 "Barton Creek" also is available through the publisher at https://www.tamupress.com/book/9781623497293/barton-creek/
 

Mark Your Calendars for BSU!  
Barton Springs University has been rescheduled!  After 2 rain outs last summer, we have a new spring date.  Join us on Tuesday, April 23rd for a full day of learning and hands on activities at Barton Springs Pool. 
 
Learn more here:  BartonSpringsUniversity.org. 
 
Over 800 high school students will be attending but the event is free and open to the public.  We will be taking public reservations for the hands on activities soon so stay tuned!