Forum lays out upcoming road closures, changes in safety planning ahead of SXSW
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Downtown Austin Alliance held its Spring Festival Season Forum today, where members, alongside event planners, city officials, and first responders, talked about their plans to handle this year's spring festival season, specifically with a focus on South by Southwest.
Event organizers noted that one major difference when it comes to road closures was that Riverside Drive would be closed the first weekend of the event, as opposed to the second weekend like in years past.
Meanwhile, CapMetro touted its extended service hours for the CapMetro Red Line, which will run through 2:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays during the event, as well as its new rapid bus lines.
Austin-Travis County EMS is adding a new position to its festival outpost — a Community Health paramedic, who focuses on mental health calls and crises during the events.
The Austin Fire Department says during the South by Southwest, they'll be operating out of the fire station at 5th Street and Trinity, putting them 'right in the middle of the action.' Last year, Austin Fire said they couldn't operate out of the station due to renovations.
The Austin Police Department says they'll be staffing their normal patrol shifts to 100% during the events, as well as hiring overtime staff. Last year, the department arrested more than 150 people during South by Southwest, over things like public intoxication and fighting.
This year's South by Southwest festival starts on March 7, and runs until March 15.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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