AUSTIN, Texas — Austin police are pausing plans to reopen the Sixth Street Entertainment District to vehicle traffic.
The decision comes following last week’s deadly vehicle attack in New Orleans, in which a man drove a car through Bourbon Street on New Year’s Day, killing 14 people.
In the days after the attack, Austin Police Department Chief Lisa Davis said the attack would not impact plans to reopen the area.
But now, department leaders tell KVUE’s media partners at the Austin-American Statesman the plan to reopen the road to cars on Thursday and Sunday nights is paused until they’re sure the New Orleans attack was isolated.
Recent incidents have prompted a review of safety on the street. Back in 2014, a drunk driver killed four people and injured more than 20 during South by Southwest. In 2021, a mass shooting on Sixth Street left one person dead and 13 others injured.
Right now, the FBI is urging law enforcement to be on alert for any copycat attacks, though they believe the New Orleans suspect acted alone.
Currently, a combination of police and barricades close off Sixth Street to cars from Red River Street to Congress Avenue on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, and during special events.
Police have ordered balusters and other equipment for the entire length of Sixth Street from Brazos to Red River streets. They have curbs about 12 to 18 inches high with fencing on top of them that will be in what is now parking spots along Sixth Street as a barrier.