East Austin Polka-Dotted Curb Extension Gets National Press

EAST AUSTIN, TX -- The polka-dotted neckdown at East 6th and Waller streets us getting national attention.

Perhaps a primer is required. A “neckdown” is a curb extension of sorts, used for both aesthetic and traffic calming purposes. They have the effect of narrowing the roadway, note the good folks at the National Association of Transportation Officials, creating safer, shorter crossings for pedestrians.

Well, just look at the attached photos.

The point is, the newly painted intersection neckdown in East Austin is raising national eyebrows, but in a good way. It’s composed of a series of brightly colored polka dots, not only pleasing to the eye but, in true “Keep Austin Weird” style, fun and unconventional.

Anna Martin, an engineer with the city’s Department of Transportation, told StreetsBlog USA that the project was completed in less than a day, using readily available paint and materials.

“The polka dots were a final addition -- taking inspiration from pedestrian plazas we’ve seen in New York City and Los Angeles,” she told the blog. “It really fits the spirit of the area, which is creative and vibrant.”

She said the polka-dot project was the first of its kind for the city, and the public response has been positive.

They look like green bubbles floating on the surface of the concrete. Don Ho would be proud.

Don Ho was a singer of Hawaiian and Chinese descent whose song “Tiny Bubbles” charted on both the pop and easy listening charts.

Well, just enjoy this video.

>> Photo courtesy of the City of Austin