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Safety and traffic flow have been among the top concerns for township officials and patrons of the 140-acre center just off the Austin Boulevard interchange with Interstate 75.
VisCap Development officials have said for several months that improvements in those areas were a priority at the complex that employs more than 2,500 people.
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The work is expected to be completed this month, said VisCap Spokeswoman Cheryl Dillin.
Facilities Manager Brian Vandergriff said one issue has been the lack of clearly marked crosswalks that attract motorists’ attention.
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“Overall, the goal of this project was to make Austin Landing a safer walkable community,” according to Vandergriff. “We had concerns about the lack of visibility of our crosswalks, so we explored our options and found this stamped colored asphalt.
“We are very happy with the results so far with this project. We hope to continue to make Austin Landing a destination spot with our events and ongoing improvements.”
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Work has been done on access ramps to accommodate the American with Disabilities Act, Dillin said, and “truncated” dome pavers are being reset and sidewalk repairs made.
While crosswalk upgrades have been made throughout the development, a particular area of focus has been the western side of the complex closest to I-75, Dillin said.
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That’s a high volume traffic area near to the park, bike hub, several restaurants and bars, Field & Stream, and Cinepolis, an upscale 12-screen theater set to open within the next few months.
Improvements in that area, what Dillin called “the entertainment district,” include:
-TRAFFIC FLOW: An east/west access drive is being built between Cinepolis and the parking garage. In addition, a loop area — to allow motorists to drop off cinema goers and turn around — is being constructed.
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-PARKING: The access drive is designed to provide a direct path to additional parking that will be behind the cinema. For the parking garage, a second access way is being added, allowing separate entrance and exit avenues in the rear and front, respectively.
“It’s going to be easier to drive around, and it’s going to be easier to walk around,” Dillin said. “And it’s safer. We’re trying to improve the traffic flow and the pedestrian walkability.”
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