Photo by Joe Olivieri

Vehicles line up at the traffic light in Oak Hill before traveling west on West Hwy. 290. The intersection of Hwy. 290 and Hwy. 71 is known for its traffic congestion.

Construction on the interim improvements at the Y at Oak Hill began May 20, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.

TxDOT spokesperson Kelli Reyna said while drivers will not see many traffic cones or major construction taking place this week, workers are beginning to dig near the intersection of West Hwy. 290 and Hwy. 71.

"[Workers] did some prep work last week and so this week is the official first week of construction," she said. "Right now we're working on relocating a water line, so some of the work that's taking place is off the roadway."

During the first phase of the improvements, TxDOT will add widened lanes, larger shoulders and double-left-turn lanes to the intersections of West Hwy. 290 at FM 1826 and Convict Hill Road. The construction will take approximately 14 months and cost an estimated $4.6 million, according to TxDOT.

The second phase will begin with the addition of continuous-flow intersections, or CFIs, at Hwy. 71 and William Cannon Drive, Reyna said. At CFIs, lanes are moved to allow a driver to turn left while a driver on the opposite side of the intersection can drive straight ahead. Construction should last about 19 months and TxDOT now estimates the second phase will cost $6.5 million.

TxDOT anticipates the changes will improve travel times by 30–50 percent. The improvements will provide an interim solution to congestion while the Oak Hill Parkway environmental study continues.

An open house will take place May 23 from 6 p.m.–8 p.m. at Clint Small Jr. Middle School, 4801 Monterey Oaks Blvd., followed by a virtual open house May 23–June 3. TxDOT said the Oak Hill Parkway virtual open house will allow residents to view each of the eight proposed concepts being considered and discuss the project with representatives using a live-chat feature. More information is available at www.oakhillparkway.com.