Nathan Bernier
@kutnathan.bsky.social
Transportation reporter at Austin NPR station KUT 90.5 FM https://kut.org/nathan
The city of Austin has four ideas for the northern deck parks over I-35 near the Hancock Center. These could go in after TxDOT removes upper decks and lowers the mainlanes.
You can give feedback at an open house tomorrow from 11-1 at the Austin Public Library's Carver Branch.
You can give feedback at an open house tomorrow from 11-1 at the Austin Public Library's Carver Branch.
November 21, 2025 at 10:40 PM
The city of Austin has four ideas for the northern deck parks over I-35 near the Hancock Center. These could go in after TxDOT removes upper decks and lowers the mainlanes.
You can give feedback at an open house tomorrow from 11-1 at the Austin Public Library's Carver Branch.
You can give feedback at an open house tomorrow from 11-1 at the Austin Public Library's Carver Branch.
November 7, 2025 at 2:37 AM
The Trail Conservancy is installing new mile markers and half-mile markers around the Butler Trail. If all goes well, the last few should be in by tomorrow morning.
Later they will install more signs for restrooms, the 10 mph speed limit, leash rules, trailhead welcome, etc.
Later they will install more signs for restrooms, the 10 mph speed limit, leash rules, trailhead welcome, etc.
October 30, 2025 at 5:22 PM
The Trail Conservancy is installing new mile markers and half-mile markers around the Butler Trail. If all goes well, the last few should be in by tomorrow morning.
Later they will install more signs for restrooms, the 10 mph speed limit, leash rules, trailhead welcome, etc.
Later they will install more signs for restrooms, the 10 mph speed limit, leash rules, trailhead welcome, etc.
What will a $25 million boardwalk between South First Street and South Congress Avenue look like?
An internal city document obtained by KUT News reveals new details.
www.kut.org/transportati...
An internal city document obtained by KUT News reveals new details.
www.kut.org/transportati...
October 23, 2025 at 2:44 PM
What will a $25 million boardwalk between South First Street and South Congress Avenue look like?
An internal city document obtained by KUT News reveals new details.
www.kut.org/transportati...
An internal city document obtained by KUT News reveals new details.
www.kut.org/transportati...
Behind those walls along I-35, TxDOT is building one of the largest tunnels Austin's ever seen.
www.kut.org/transportati...
www.kut.org/transportati...
September 29, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Behind those walls along I-35, TxDOT is building one of the largest tunnels Austin's ever seen.
www.kut.org/transportati...
www.kut.org/transportati...
A new @evilmopacatx.bsky.social phone app is promising to make sense of MoPac's unpredictable toll lanes by showing drivers how much each minute of time saved will actually cost.
Alan Farmer made the app, inspired by "the terrible that is MoPac in the toll lane."
www.kut.org/transportati...
Alan Farmer made the app, inspired by "the terrible that is MoPac in the toll lane."
www.kut.org/transportati...
September 16, 2025 at 8:42 PM
A new @evilmopacatx.bsky.social phone app is promising to make sense of MoPac's unpredictable toll lanes by showing drivers how much each minute of time saved will actually cost.
Alan Farmer made the app, inspired by "the terrible that is MoPac in the toll lane."
www.kut.org/transportati...
Alan Farmer made the app, inspired by "the terrible that is MoPac in the toll lane."
www.kut.org/transportati...
Delta today announced twice daily nonstop service from Austin to Miami is starting Nov. 22 on a Boeing 737-800.
Delta also has these nonstops coming up:
✈️ Palm Springs on Nov. 8
✈️ Denver on Nov. 9
✈️ Cancun and Cabo on Dec. 20
✈️ Columbus and Kansas City on Jun. 7, 2026
Delta also has these nonstops coming up:
✈️ Palm Springs on Nov. 8
✈️ Denver on Nov. 9
✈️ Cancun and Cabo on Dec. 20
✈️ Columbus and Kansas City on Jun. 7, 2026
September 12, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Delta today announced twice daily nonstop service from Austin to Miami is starting Nov. 22 on a Boeing 737-800.
Delta also has these nonstops coming up:
✈️ Palm Springs on Nov. 8
✈️ Denver on Nov. 9
✈️ Cancun and Cabo on Dec. 20
✈️ Columbus and Kansas City on Jun. 7, 2026
Delta also has these nonstops coming up:
✈️ Palm Springs on Nov. 8
✈️ Denver on Nov. 9
✈️ Cancun and Cabo on Dec. 20
✈️ Columbus and Kansas City on Jun. 7, 2026
Delta-9 (D9) is used to draw the distinction between marijuana and hemp.
Less than 0.3% D9 by dry weight = "hemp"
More than 0.3% = "marijuana"
But D9 occurs in small amounts, so most people smoking cannabis — even in legal states — get high from THCA converted to D9 by heat.
Less than 0.3% D9 by dry weight = "hemp"
More than 0.3% = "marijuana"
But D9 occurs in small amounts, so most people smoking cannabis — even in legal states — get high from THCA converted to D9 by heat.
September 10, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Delta-9 (D9) is used to draw the distinction between marijuana and hemp.
Less than 0.3% D9 by dry weight = "hemp"
More than 0.3% = "marijuana"
But D9 occurs in small amounts, so most people smoking cannabis — even in legal states — get high from THCA converted to D9 by heat.
Less than 0.3% D9 by dry weight = "hemp"
More than 0.3% = "marijuana"
But D9 occurs in small amounts, so most people smoking cannabis — even in legal states — get high from THCA converted to D9 by heat.
NEW: Governor Abbott's executive order on hemp would essentially ban the sale of THCA flower (shown below) and THCA concentrates.
Abbott's order calls for testing THCA after it's heated and converted to Delta-9, the main ingredient in cannabis that gets people high.
Abbott's order calls for testing THCA after it's heated and converted to Delta-9, the main ingredient in cannabis that gets people high.
September 10, 2025 at 5:09 PM
NEW: Governor Abbott's executive order on hemp would essentially ban the sale of THCA flower (shown below) and THCA concentrates.
Abbott's order calls for testing THCA after it's heated and converted to Delta-9, the main ingredient in cannabis that gets people high.
Abbott's order calls for testing THCA after it's heated and converted to Delta-9, the main ingredient in cannabis that gets people high.
Will TxDOT build a 21-foot-tall concrete noise barrier stretching half-a-mile along I-35 next to where the upper decks are now?
Cherrywood residents have to cast their vote by today.
www.kut.org/transportati...
Cherrywood residents have to cast their vote by today.
www.kut.org/transportati...
September 10, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Will TxDOT build a 21-foot-tall concrete noise barrier stretching half-a-mile along I-35 next to where the upper decks are now?
Cherrywood residents have to cast their vote by today.
www.kut.org/transportati...
Cherrywood residents have to cast their vote by today.
www.kut.org/transportati...
Correction: Concrete barricades — which will be pre-cast, not poured on site — will run two blocks from San Jacinto to Neches, not three blocks from San Jacinto to Red River.
Neches to Red River will keep these rubberized curbs. Here's the existing barriers, a map and the memo from TPW:
Neches to Red River will keep these rubberized curbs. Here's the existing barriers, a map and the memo from TPW:
August 5, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Correction: Concrete barricades — which will be pre-cast, not poured on site — will run two blocks from San Jacinto to Neches, not three blocks from San Jacinto to Red River.
Neches to Red River will keep these rubberized curbs. Here's the existing barriers, a map and the memo from TPW:
Neches to Red River will keep these rubberized curbs. Here's the existing barriers, a map and the memo from TPW:
The city of Austin will install concrete barricades along sidewalks on both sides East Sixth Street from San Jacinto Blvd. to Red River St.
The Downtown Austin Alliance has plans to try and make the barricades look nicer.
News conference planned for when construction starts on Mon., August 11.
The Downtown Austin Alliance has plans to try and make the barricades look nicer.
News conference planned for when construction starts on Mon., August 11.
August 4, 2025 at 10:07 PM
The city of Austin will install concrete barricades along sidewalks on both sides East Sixth Street from San Jacinto Blvd. to Red River St.
The Downtown Austin Alliance has plans to try and make the barricades look nicer.
News conference planned for when construction starts on Mon., August 11.
The Downtown Austin Alliance has plans to try and make the barricades look nicer.
News conference planned for when construction starts on Mon., August 11.
Texas calls this "hemp" because state and federal law is confusing and arbitrary.
It's just weed, y'all. Almost exactly what you could buy in California or Colorado.
Here's a guide to some of the most popular cannabis products at your local shop.
www.kut.org/politics/202...
It's just weed, y'all. Almost exactly what you could buy in California or Colorado.
Here's a guide to some of the most popular cannabis products at your local shop.
www.kut.org/politics/202...
July 23, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Texas calls this "hemp" because state and federal law is confusing and arbitrary.
It's just weed, y'all. Almost exactly what you could buy in California or Colorado.
Here's a guide to some of the most popular cannabis products at your local shop.
www.kut.org/politics/202...
It's just weed, y'all. Almost exactly what you could buy in California or Colorado.
Here's a guide to some of the most popular cannabis products at your local shop.
www.kut.org/politics/202...
The old bridge was built in 1960.
The new bridge will be slightly higher and wider. Unlike the old bridge, the new one will have a median and shoulders.
- One 12-foot-wide lane in each direction
- Six-foot-wide shoulders on either side
- Two-foot-wide striped median
The new bridge will be slightly higher and wider. Unlike the old bridge, the new one will have a median and shoulders.
- One 12-foot-wide lane in each direction
- Six-foot-wide shoulders on either side
- Two-foot-wide striped median
July 18, 2025 at 9:10 PM
The old bridge was built in 1960.
The new bridge will be slightly higher and wider. Unlike the old bridge, the new one will have a median and shoulders.
- One 12-foot-wide lane in each direction
- Six-foot-wide shoulders on either side
- Two-foot-wide striped median
The new bridge will be slightly higher and wider. Unlike the old bridge, the new one will have a median and shoulders.
- One 12-foot-wide lane in each direction
- Six-foot-wide shoulders on either side
- Two-foot-wide striped median
RM 1431 is an important road connecting Marble Falls to Lago Vista.
With the bridge gone, the detour is 40 miles.
With the bridge gone, the detour is 40 miles.
July 18, 2025 at 9:10 PM
RM 1431 is an important road connecting Marble Falls to Lago Vista.
With the bridge gone, the detour is 40 miles.
With the bridge gone, the detour is 40 miles.
NEW: Construction starts Monday to rebuild the RM 1431 bridge over Cow Creek that was destroyed by floods.
TxDOT hired Hunter Industries for just over $4 million to finish within 60 days. Will get a bonus of $50,000/day for each day they finish early up to 20 days max.
TxDOT hired Hunter Industries for just over $4 million to finish within 60 days. Will get a bonus of $50,000/day for each day they finish early up to 20 days max.
July 18, 2025 at 9:08 PM
NEW: Construction starts Monday to rebuild the RM 1431 bridge over Cow Creek that was destroyed by floods.
TxDOT hired Hunter Industries for just over $4 million to finish within 60 days. Will get a bonus of $50,000/day for each day they finish early up to 20 days max.
TxDOT hired Hunter Industries for just over $4 million to finish within 60 days. Will get a bonus of $50,000/day for each day they finish early up to 20 days max.
Austin is considering making Sixth Street a two-way street from I-35 to Brazos. Analysis due in late August.
July 18, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Austin is considering making Sixth Street a two-way street from I-35 to Brazos. Analysis due in late August.
Travis County is working on a three-phase plan to restore vehicle access to Sandy Creek.
1. Create a temporary low-water crossing or pontoon bridge
2. Do short-term repairs to the main bridge allowing vehicles under 5,000 pounds to cross
3. Full bridge repair
No timeline yet
1. Create a temporary low-water crossing or pontoon bridge
2. Do short-term repairs to the main bridge allowing vehicles under 5,000 pounds to cross
3. Full bridge repair
No timeline yet
July 10, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Travis County is working on a three-phase plan to restore vehicle access to Sandy Creek.
1. Create a temporary low-water crossing or pontoon bridge
2. Do short-term repairs to the main bridge allowing vehicles under 5,000 pounds to cross
3. Full bridge repair
No timeline yet
1. Create a temporary low-water crossing or pontoon bridge
2. Do short-term repairs to the main bridge allowing vehicles under 5,000 pounds to cross
3. Full bridge repair
No timeline yet
Meanwhile, this bridge is the only way in and out of the Sandy Creek Ranches neighborhood just outside Leander.
The crossing is closed to vehicles, so hundreds of residents have to haul water and food across in wagons.
The bridge was built less than eight years ago.
The crossing is closed to vehicles, so hundreds of residents have to haul water and food across in wagons.
The bridge was built less than eight years ago.
July 10, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Meanwhile, this bridge is the only way in and out of the Sandy Creek Ranches neighborhood just outside Leander.
The crossing is closed to vehicles, so hundreds of residents have to haul water and food across in wagons.
The bridge was built less than eight years ago.
The crossing is closed to vehicles, so hundreds of residents have to haul water and food across in wagons.
The bridge was built less than eight years ago.
Two flood-damaged bridges. Two repair plans.
TxDOT is fast-tracking replacement of this bridge on FM 1431 between Marble Falls and Lago Vista.
"We're pushing to get this done in weeks rather than months," Austin District Engineer Tucker Ferguson told KUT News.
📷 Mari Urbano
TxDOT is fast-tracking replacement of this bridge on FM 1431 between Marble Falls and Lago Vista.
"We're pushing to get this done in weeks rather than months," Austin District Engineer Tucker Ferguson told KUT News.
📷 Mari Urbano
July 10, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Two flood-damaged bridges. Two repair plans.
TxDOT is fast-tracking replacement of this bridge on FM 1431 between Marble Falls and Lago Vista.
"We're pushing to get this done in weeks rather than months," Austin District Engineer Tucker Ferguson told KUT News.
📷 Mari Urbano
TxDOT is fast-tracking replacement of this bridge on FM 1431 between Marble Falls and Lago Vista.
"We're pushing to get this done in weeks rather than months," Austin District Engineer Tucker Ferguson told KUT News.
📷 Mari Urbano
NEW: CapMetro says its first-ever police chief is leaving. The news comes one day after the transit agency’s first patrol officers hit the streets.
Eric Robins is leaving to be police chief of Alief ISD in Houston. Robins is from Houston and spent 30 years on Sugarland PD.
Press release:
Eric Robins is leaving to be police chief of Alief ISD in Houston. Robins is from Houston and spent 30 years on Sugarland PD.
Press release:
June 18, 2025 at 12:11 AM
NEW: CapMetro says its first-ever police chief is leaving. The news comes one day after the transit agency’s first patrol officers hit the streets.
Eric Robins is leaving to be police chief of Alief ISD in Houston. Robins is from Houston and spent 30 years on Sugarland PD.
Press release:
Eric Robins is leaving to be police chief of Alief ISD in Houston. Robins is from Houston and spent 30 years on Sugarland PD.
Press release:
New rendering of the 20+ gate concourse being designed for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Concourse B will be connected to the Barbara Jordan Terminal by an underground pedestrian tunnel with moving walkways.
Construction starts next year and should wrap up in 2030.
Construction starts next year and should wrap up in 2030.
June 12, 2025 at 5:14 PM
New rendering of the 20+ gate concourse being designed for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Concourse B will be connected to the Barbara Jordan Terminal by an underground pedestrian tunnel with moving walkways.
Construction starts next year and should wrap up in 2030.
Construction starts next year and should wrap up in 2030.
TxDOT says someone gained access to their database of crash reports and downloaded almost 300,000 records.
The records could have information like names, addresses, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, car insurance policy numbers, etc.
The records could have information like names, addresses, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, car insurance policy numbers, etc.
June 6, 2025 at 9:30 PM
TxDOT says someone gained access to their database of crash reports and downloaded almost 300,000 records.
The records could have information like names, addresses, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, car insurance policy numbers, etc.
The records could have information like names, addresses, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, car insurance policy numbers, etc.
Five officers will be trained and ready to begin patrols on Monday, June 16. The others will follow within weeks as they complete training.
Some off-duty Austin police officers will continue to patrol the system until CapMetro’s department gets bigger. So they’re not done hiring.
Some off-duty Austin police officers will continue to patrol the system until CapMetro’s department gets bigger. So they’re not done hiring.
June 6, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Five officers will be trained and ready to begin patrols on Monday, June 16. The others will follow within weeks as they complete training.
Some off-duty Austin police officers will continue to patrol the system until CapMetro’s department gets bigger. So they’re not done hiring.
Some off-duty Austin police officers will continue to patrol the system until CapMetro’s department gets bigger. So they’re not done hiring.
The officers come from departments including DPS, APD, UTPD, Travis County Sheriff’s Office and St Edward’s University PD. Some have military and/or corrections experience. At least one has an IT background and is new to law enforcement.
June 6, 2025 at 5:13 PM
The officers come from departments including DPS, APD, UTPD, Travis County Sheriff’s Office and St Edward’s University PD. Some have military and/or corrections experience. At least one has an IT background and is new to law enforcement.