Expressway News from the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority

Expressway News

July 6, 2016

Oak Hill
Travel Facts

Did you know?

Commuters spent over 454,000 hours stuck in traffic in the Oak Hill area in 2014 alone! Watch our video series to learn about our proposed solution to the heavy congestion along US 290 and SH 71. What could you do with an extra 454,000 hours?

Did you know?

We take our commitment to the environment seriously. Learn more about the environmental process we follow to balance the need for infrastructure improvements with preserving our natural resources.

Did you know?

Traffic volume on US 290 from MoPac to Circle Drive is expected to double to 135,000 vehicles/day by 2035. How will the corridor accommodate such a spike? The Oak Hill Parkway is designed to accommodate the projected traffic volumes our region anticipates in the future.

Are you signed up for the Oak Hill Parkway newsletter?

The project team sends e‐blasts about upcoming public workshops as well as a quarterly e‐newsletter with information about how the environmental study is progressing.

In late 2016/early 2017, we will be emailing an invitation to the public hearing. Sign up by clicking here.

AN UPDATE ON OAK HILL PARKWAY

US 290 and SH 71 through Oak Hill are a gateway to the hill country and serve as a key route to Austin for the residents of Oak Hill, Lakeway, Bee Cave, Dripping Springs and other growing communities. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (Mobility Authority) are working together to improve long-term mobility in the area.

2012 marked the launch of a comprehensive environmental study under the leadership of TxDOT. Since then, we’ve been working collaboratively to identify a proposed solution that effectively addresses congestion, respects the environment, and adds value to the Oak Hill community

CHECK OUT OUR INFORMATIONAL VIDEOS!

In this video, TxDOT’s Public Information Officer, Kelli Reyna discusses how the Oak Hill Parkway project proposes to address traffic congestion and improve your commute experience through Oak Hill.

New to the project? Get up to speed with our new Oak Hill Parkway videos! The first one features a general overview of the project and the problem we’re trying to solve. The second and third videos, each about 3 minutes long, explore the process that TxDOT and the Mobility Authority have followed to get to our two proposed build alternatives and the no build, or ‘do nothing’, alternative. As you will see, community involvement has played a key role in shaping the direction of the project, as TxDOT and the Mobility Authority believe communities make projects better.

All three videos can be viewed here

SO, WHAT’S THE LATEST?

DESIGN: The design level schematics for both of our two proposed build alternatives have been refined as a result of continued stakeholder outreach and public comment. Both alternatives propose a controlled-access highway with access roads with direct connector bridges at the intersection of US 290 and SH 71. The major difference between the two alternatives is that “Alternative A” takes the US 290 mainlanes under SH 71 and “Alternative C” takes the US 290 mainlanes over SH 71. Check out our renderings here and the proposed design here. The current design also includes about seven miles of bicycle and pedestrian facilities including a shared use path, continuous sidewalks, and connections to local trails.

SCIENCE: The environmental study team has begun the robust analysis of our two proposed build alternatives and the no build, or ‘do nothing’, alternative against the latest phase of evaluation criteria. This process includes collecting and analyzing data and quantifying any potential impacts to the human and natural environment. The results of this analysis will indicate the preferred alternative. Learn more about the environmental study here or check out what was recently presented at a community workshop featuring an update on the science and studies behind the project by clicking here.

ENGAGEMENT: This year, TxDOT and the Mobility Authority will continue working with the community on additional tree measures, proposed landscaping and context sensitive structure design, Williamson Creek enhancements, potential noise impacts, and other environmental issues. We anticipate holding a community workshop later this year featuring an update on the ongoing environmental study and context sensitive solutions.

WHAT'S NEXT?

We anticipate the full Draft Environmental Impact Statement being made available for public review and comment in early 2017. This will be followed by the partner agencies holding a public hearing to present the document, results of the study, and the preferred alternative to the public for comment.

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