At the HEB BBQ and Cakewalk on September 3, we engaged with shoppers outside of HEB and answered their questions about the project while they enjoyed a BBQ snack and competed to win a cake in a friendly musical competition.
 

 

At the Liberal Arts and Sciences Academy (LASA) High School’s Back to School Night on September 7, we talked with parents about current and upcoming traffic impacts related to the project, and provided resources for regular construction updates to give them an idea of what to expect as we begin the new school year.



At the Southwest Key Program’s community cultural event on September 10, young artists got to work with fabric markers on their “Color Me!” project totes, while parents discussed the project with our community outreach team.



We rolled up our sleeves and joined the Pecan Springs Neighborhood Association for a cleanup of Walnut Creek District Park on September 17.  After helping to beautify the area, we provided lunch from Torchy’s Tacos for the dozens of hungry community volunteers.




For National Night Out on October 4, we participated in neighborhood events at Senate Hills, University Hills, and LBJ neighborhoods, providing dinner, flashlights and other giveaways as families congregated to promote neighborhood safety and community awareness.
 

 

 
 

Meet Ricky Luna, CRC’s Utilities Foreman on the 183 South Project. Ricky manages a team of seven men in the field who are responsible for the repair, relocation, and installation of water utilities. And he takes that job seriously. Keeping his team safe is Ricky’s top priority as they collectively install new water lines and relocate existing ones, closing gaps and optimizing our infrastructure network to meet the needs of the future we are building for with the 183 South Project.

Laying the Groundwork

The existing utilities along the US 183 corridor were planned and installed decades ago with minimal upgrades in recent years. We’re not just expanding the footprint of the current roadway, which no longer meets the capacity demands among east Austin travelers. We are also rebuilding most of the utility infrastructure that lines the corridor both to enhance its performance and to tailor the network to the final project. That’s a complex task, with more than 40 miles of utility renovations overall. When thinking about a massive transportation project that will triple capacity on one of our region’s most congested corridors, most people immediately think of new pavement and bridges; they don't think about the major role utilities play.

“This project is a collaborative effort among all the different disciplines.” Ricky says. “But it’s driven by utilities in such a major way. We are truly laying the groundwork for this long- anticipated roadway.”

If anyone is up to this challenge, it’s Ricky. His team of underground utility personnel has a great understanding of pipe installation, while also serving as some of the highest skilled equipment operators in the industry. We’re talking very technical diggers and earth movers. And the pipe layers and laborers have to be highly skilled at mathematics. They have to be proficient at not only utility installation, but earthwork and structure work as well.

Ricky and his crew on the 183 South job site

Expecting the Unexpected 
“Expect the unexpected” is Ricky’s motto as he enters the field each morning. Each day begins with a morning safety meeting with his Superintendent, Bryon Stevens, as well as seven other utilities crews and their superintendents. They plan for the day ahead, proactively addressing any potential hazards that may occur. Ricky then collects his crew and it’s off to the job site, where they execute the plans the engineering team has drawn up. The design plans are based on old drawings and records showing where the existing utilities are located. And Ricky will be the first to tell you, the existing utilities aren’t always where they are supposed to be.

 “Unexpected utilities and abandoned lines are a daily occurrence on the job.  That’s why it’s so important to adapt to changing site conditions.” Ricky says. “You have to continually assess conditions and gather information.”

The good news, Ricky tells us, is that the City of Austin is implementing a number of changes to ensure accuracy in utility plans for the benefit of future projects. “When a project is built, the final product is often somewhat different from what the plans call for. That’s normal, you have to adjust with changing conditions. But it also means you have a responsibility to file an “as built” with the City, showing exactly how the final product was built so that future projects can accurately anticipate the location of the utility infrastructure,” Ricky shares.

A Safety Culture

Whether it’s the weather, a change in plans, or a water line located several feet away from where the plans indicate, Ricky knows he has to be ready to change course at a moment’s notice. There are challenges associated with working near other utilities such as gas lines, sewer lines, fiber optic cables, and power lines that may be located in close proximity to the new or existing water lines. His team’s safety is dependent upon constant vigilance at the job site, which requires extensive safety training and excellent communication. Working in trenches is risky business, and requires that those training exercises be put into practice. Detailed procedures are in place for trench work not only to ensure the integrity of the final infrastructure, but also to protect the crews.

“It’s a challenge to balance safety with the final work product.” Ricky says. “Safety takes time. We always want to finish on schedule, especially when traffic is disrupted with lane closures. But my number one rule is to never take shortcuts.”

On the Move 

Ricky’s favorite part of the job is not being in the same place all the time.

“I like moving around, seeing different job sites and getting exposure to a lot of different work situations,” Ricky says.

So it comes as no surprise that when he’s not busy leading crews on the job site, he can be found at Craig’s Field in Pleasant Valley with his ATX Sports & Adventures Softball Team. Just as he does on the job, Ricky can adapt to any number of positions on the field, switching between pitcher, third-baseman, and short-stop. The most important thing for him is to keep on moving.

“If I slow down, I lose momentum” Ricky says. In addition to softball, Ricky plays golf, and is part of a skee ball league. “Sports are my favorite way to unwind in the evenings after a long day on the job.”

A Needed Change

For Ricky, the most exciting part about working on the 183 South Project is being an integral part of a needed change for our city that will impact quality of life for years to come. A lifelong Austinite, Ricky grew up on the east side in the Montopolis neighborhood. He’s traveled the corridor daily for nearly 40 years, and can relate to the frustration voiced by the masses for decades.

It’s about time the east side saw some relief.” Ricky says. “For years, we’ve stood by and watched other areas of town get upgraded highways, while US 183 got consistently more and more gridlocked. We’ve waited patiently, and it’s finally our turn.”

Ricky currently lives in Cedar Creek, near the Circuit of the Americas Track with his girlfriend, Denise. The utilities foreman has three children, Ricky, III, a 20-year-old nursing student at UTSA; Zoie, a third grader at Lamar Middle School; and Ely, 1, who, like his father, is always on the move. Ricky is excited that his children will experience the benefits of the upgraded US 183, which will get them to their favorite Austin hangouts faster—Zilker Park for outdoor fun, and Pappasitos for some of their favorite dishes.

Top: Left to Right: Ricky Luna with son Ricky, III, and daughter Zoie, at a recent family reunion.
Bottom: Ricky with his girlfriend Denise and their son Ely, one year old.

To help keep you informed of construction progress along the way, we’ve developed a benchmark report. The features below are designed to track project activity and share with you some key metrics about the project.