Photo by Kelli WeldonBy Kelli Weldon
Utility lines caused some delays, but construction back on track
The Texas Department of Transportation has spent about $2.6 million of the budgeted $6.5 million for the second of two projects to improve traffic flow at the intersection of West Hwy. 290 and Hwy. 71, also known as the Y at Oak Hill.
The project, which involves adding continuous-flow intersections from Joe Tanner Lane to Hwy. 71, was about 41 percent complete by the end of April, TxDOT spokeswoman Kelli Reyna said.
Throughout May and June, TxDOT will continue widening Hwy. 290, including the preparation of subgrade—the material under the road that forms the foundation—as well as building a new storm sewer for drainage infrastructure, adding the road materials and paving, Reyna said.
TxDOT experienced a delay as result of obstructing AT&T utility lines, she said.
"They had a major fiber optic line that had to be relocated before the project could begin," she said.
For the CFIs project, the utility conflict was cleared in early May 2014, she said.
Austin Heritage Tree Foundation is preparing to move the Taco Bell tree, she said.
City of Austin water lines also had to be relocated, as major lines were underneath where the widened Hwy. 290 will be.
The city closed parts of the road in February to work on the water and wastewater lines. Waterline work and the widening of the south side of Hwy. 290 has resumed, she said.
