The city first approved the contract with Alpha Paving in August. Since then, North Peak residents have voiced concerns about the plans that have been proposed, primarily regarding locations and methods for drainage improvements.
Jennifer Bills, director of Building and Development Services for West Lake Hills, shared background information and updates for the project at the meeting.
Current situation
Locations for improvements around West Lake Hills were first identified in the city’s 2016-2017 Drainage Master Plan study. Walter P. Moore and the engineering team designed the drainage improvements and street paving plans for FY 2023-2024, and finalized those plans in May 2024.
In July, the projects went out for bid, and in August the bid was awarded to Alpha Paving.
In response to resident concerns about the North Peak project, planning changes have been made. The engineering team for the project has decided to proceed with the contract and begin paving other areas while reevaluating plans and finding alternative drainage options for North Peak.
“We decided we would keep moving forward with the contract because we needed to get the paving project started,” Bills said. “But we’re coming back with a change order to remove North Peak from this round so we can move it to the next round. That gives us more time to reevaluate the plans for the drainage.”
Two streets will be added into this year’s round that were initially meant to be worked on in FY 2024-2025, Bills said. Improvements will be made using extra money that became available after North Peak was removed from this round.
“We’re going to add in two streets that were going to be in next year’s round,” Bills said. “Sugar Creek Drive and Loma Linda Drive. Those are both mill and overlay projects.”
What else?
Additionally, changes have been made to the materials used in parts of the paving plan. A “micro milling” process will be implemented on sections of West Lake Drive to provide a higher friction surface for drivers, Bills said.
Work has already begun on Allegro Lane, implementing a ribbon curb, which is a strip of concrete that will provide structural support and prevent the road from unraveling on its edges. After the ribbon curb has been placed, the road will be repaved.
The recent changes to the project will reduce the total contract amount by $166,675.56. The new total for the contract will be just over $1.1 million, Bills said.
Updated information and notices about road and drainage improvements can be found on the city’s website.
