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Austin Police Chief provides update on pilot program opening 6th Street to cars

The Austin Police Department has initiated a pilot program to reopen Sixth Street to vehicular traffic on weekend nights, aiming to enhance safety and manage crowds more effectively. This decision comes after a series of violent incidents, including a mass shooting in June 2021, which led to the street being closed to cars during peak times. The pilot, which began on a specific Friday night, allows cars to travel down Sixth Street from Brazos Street to I-35 between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The program seeks to reduce large gatherings that can lead to violence by dispersing crowds more naturally with traffic flow. Additionally, the Austin Police Chief, Joseph Chacon, mentioned that this approach could help in quicker emergency responses and better crowd control. The pilot's effectiveness will be evaluated over the next few weeks to decide on its continuation or modification.

Read the Full KXAN Article at:
[ https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/austin-police-chief-provides-update-on-pilot-program-opening-6th-street-to-cars/ ]