Austin Mayor Steve Adler and supporters of the proposed $720 million mobility bond will have help from a friend—and Adler’s one-time foe on the campaign trail.

(Article by JJ Velasquez)

Former Council Member Mike Martinez, who was Adler’s opponent in the 2014 mayoral election, endorsed the proposed bond Aug. 5 at a press conference in Austin City Hall and will campaign in favor of the proposition.

“[The bond proposal] is in my mind not a perfect plan, but perfection should never be the enemy of good,” Martinez said. “It’s a sound, well-thought-out plan that’s built upon previous decisions that got us to this point.”

Although the bond election has not yet been formally called, City Council on June 23 approved moving forward with pursuing a $720 million bond proposition that would dedicate $101 million for regional road projects, including Loop 360 and Spicewood Springs Road; $482 million for implementing the seven corridor plans; and $137 million for local mobility projects, including funding the sidewalk, bicycle, Vision Zero and urban trails master plans.

Martinez said the so-called smart corridor enhancements in the bond proposal would implement corridor plans that have been sitting on the shelf.

“It’s time for us to really take on what is arguably the biggest issue … and that’s traffic, transportation and congestion,” he said.

Next steps

Austin City Council will listen to public testimony on the proposed mobility bond Aug. 11. Council may also vote to adopt the ballot language of the proposition as well as call the election to order at that meeting. However, those actions may be taken at council’s Aug. 18 meeting.

The Aug. 11 meeting will take place at 10 a.m. in the council chambers at City Hall, 301 W. Second St., Austin.