Camp Craft Road improvements were prioritized in the city’s 2021 road improvement bond, which aims to improve the drainage and overall safety of six major roads in West Lake Hills.
The overview
Camp Craft has frequently been subject to flooding during periods of heavy rainfall, City Administrator Trey Fletcher said. Improvements to Camp Craft will include removing the road’s low-water crossing and replacing it with larger box culverts that reduce the likelihood of flooding during heavy rain events.
Though some nearby roads have remained partially open during construction, improvements on Camp Craft will require a full closure. Residents needing to access Westlake High School are encouraged to instead utilize Westbank Drive, Fletcher said.
Preconstruction work on the road will begin in January, and the road will be closed Feb. 1. The road is expected to reopen no later than July 31, Fletcher said.
The history
In November 2021, West Lake Hills passed a bond proposal for road safety improvements in the city. Roads targeted include Camp Craft Road, as well as Redbud Trail, Westlake Drive, Laurel Valley Road, Yaupon Valley Road and Terrace Mountain Drive.
Originally, the city planned for Camp Craft’s construction to begin in the summer of 2023, but after meeting with contractors and reviewing logistical details, all involved parties decided that construction would not be feasible until 2025, Fletcher said. This new timeline will prevent construction from running into the start of the 2025-26 school year.
Eanes School Road, adjacent to Camp Craft, is wrapping up construction, Fletcher said. In January, construction crews currently working there will move up the street to Camp Craft and begin preconstruction work prior to the full road closure in February.
What else?
Residents are invited to attend the city’s Jan. 9 meeting at 6 p.m in the small auditorium at Westlake High School in order to learn more about Camp Craft, the city’s 2021 road bond and all other ongoing street improvement projects.
