Why there's new barbed wire fencing below south Austin highway

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Drivers in south Austin may notice a new secure perimeter surrounding an area below a busy highway.

The city recently installed chain link fencing topped with rows of barbed wire underneath U.S. 290 between South Lamar Boulevard and Pack Saddle Pass. According to the Austin Transportation Department, this is part of what's known as a "placemaking project" that will also involve the Texas Department of Transportation.

A city spokesperson clarified in an email that placemaking includes "projects that aim to beautify and enhance a public place to benefit the community."

"We are in early coordination with TxDOT to allow the City to install a pathway to connect the Westgate Transit Center to South Lamar Boulevard using the available space under the overpass," the spokesperson's email explained. "We are also exploring lighting, wayfinding, landscaping enhancements and public art to further activate the space."

It appears this project is related to a resolution approved by city leaders in Nov. 2022, which states the goal is to "facilitate the construction of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure that will provide a safer vehicle free segment of right-of-way, allowing pedestrians and bicyclists to better connect to neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and transit services in the area."

This area is also where the city highlighted it closed a homeless encampment under the overpass in Feb. 2023. At that time, it said the city and its partners helped a total of 60 people move from an encampment at Pack Saddle Pass and U.S. Hwy. 71 to temporary bridge shelters as part of the Housing-Focused Encampment Assistance Link (HEAL) Initiative.