Southwest Austin Transportation Updates1. Oak Hill Parkway

The Texas Department of Transportation held an environmental workshop June 23 at Oak Hill United Methodist Church to inform the public and gather comments about the ongoing Oak Hill Parkway environmental study. The workshop discussed issues including landscaping and potential tree removals. A project team is refining two build alternatives as part of the study, which aims to identify and research potential solutions to bring long-term traffic relief to the intersection of Hwy. 71 and Hwy. 290.

Timeline: environmental study expected to be complete in 2017, construction completion may be in 2022-24 Cost: about $650 million Funding source: TBD

2. I-35 between Stassney Lane and William Cannon Drive upgrades

TxDOT broke ground June 29 on a 3.2-mile I-35 project from Stassney Lane to William Cannon Drive. Improvements include new bridges at Stassney, William Cannon and Williamson Creek; new on- and off-ramps; improved bicycle and pedestrian paths; and new safety and high-mast lighting. Construction will occur in three phases, beginning with modifying the entrance and exit ramps in the first phase to building the new William Cannon bridge in the third. The improvements are to address traffic congestion on the I-35 main lanes and at area intersections.

Timeline: construction anticipated to be complete by winter 2019-20 Cost: $79 million Funding sources: Proposition 1

3. Manchaca Road and Slaughter Lane improvements

At the intersection of Slaughter Lane and Manchaca Road, the city of Austin Transportation Department plans to revise right-turn lanes, add raised medians on Manchaca north and south of the intersection, include dual left-turn lanes in every direction of the intersection and other safety improvements. Staff is working on design, 60 percent of which has been completed. The remaining design work is expected to be complete in the summer or fall. Timeline: design expected to be complete in summer-fall 2016, construction expected to start spring 2017 Cost: $1.5 million Funding sources: city of Austin