Painted concrete barriers now line part of Sixth Street

AUSTIN (KXAN) — New concrete barriers are up along Sixth Street from Neches to San Jacinto.

These replaced the water-filled barriers that were up for about four months, and are now the third type of temporary infrastructure the city has used since the street opened up to car traffic full time in January. The change came as a means to prevent late-night crowds that often grow unruly and sometimes violent, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said when she announced the plan.

“After installing water-filled barriers on Sixth Street, we heard from business owners that the area felt too much like a construction site, so the City opted to make the switch to concrete barriers,” the city said in an email statement.

The barriers were painted by local multidisciplinary artist Emily Eisenhart.

The Austin Police Department (APD) said nixing the in-street foot traffic Thursday-Sunday nights has led to a decrease in crime in the entertainment district.

Some business owners who support the overall measure have concerns about how the barriers impact their businesses during the day time, saying the barriers restrict access. Many have said they hope to see bollards or something similar put in place instead.

The city said the notion of bollards “is under consideration as part of the engineering process,” and that construction on permanent infrastructure could begin in 2027 ‘if funding is identified.'”