Lynda Rife, public involvement consultant for CTRMA, said the mobility authority has made a few changes to the project over the past few months. The project aims to improve long-term mobility at the intersection of Hwy. 290 and Hwy. 71.
Staff members of the Texas Department of Transportation and Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority updated Oak Hill residents on the Oak Hill Parkway project on June 14.[/caption]Here are a few study and design updates made by the CTRMA:
- Draft technical studies and environmental reports prepared in anticipation of the public release of the draft Environmental Impact Statement
- Revision of some of the new technical studies to reflect additional input received from stakeholders and new information contained in the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s [CAMPO] 2040 Plan—Due to the change in transportation demand and funding sources, CAMPO's 2035 plan is no longer active has been amended and will be amended as necessary
- Added one main lane in each direction on Hwy. 290 from Hwy. 71 to west of FM 1826 for a minimum of three lanes in each direction, and revised the alignment in the vicinity of FM 1826 to accommodate added lanes
- Located water quality ponds and vegetative filter strips along the project
- Added bus turnouts along Hwy. 290 and Hwy. 71 frontage roads
- Reduced width of Hwy. 71 and added short retaining walls to avoid some properties and trees.
- Relocated a Hwy. 71 U-turn near Williamson Creek to avoid a large oak tree
- Realigned a shared use path and sidewalks along Williamson Creek in the vicinity of William Cannon Drive and McCarthy Lane to reduce impact to trees
- Accommodated for projected 2040 traffic volumes versus 2035
- For build alternative A: lengthened the westbound frontage road bridge west of Old Bee Caves Road to reduce impacts on Williamson Creek
- For build alternative C: added signal for westbound traffic from Hwy. 290 to westbound Hwy. 71 at shared use path crossing for safety
“That’s what we’ve been doing and what we’ve tweaked along the way,” Rife said. “A lot of this is little tweaks here and there but a lot of work has been done.”
Rife said the group is finishing up a noise study that will look at the difference between both build alternatives A and C and a no-build alternative. The study will determine what type of noise level would be increased and if sound walls are reasonable and feasible.
“We’re in the process of that and that will be available this fall,” Rife said.
Alan Watts, Oak Hill Association of Neighborhoods secretary, asked if the project would be able to support the growth in the area based on the increase in traffic volume. Staff members assured Watts the traffic volumes are fed into the new model based on 2017 traffic studies.
“I’m still concerned about his project and I think there are better ways to invest in our infrastructure,” Watts said.
"It seems to me like there’s a lot better ways to solve our problems than laying more concrete.”
Residents also raised concerns about the impact on the climate including tree preservation, water quality and flooding. The environmental study is scheduled to be completed in the fall and will give a better idea of how the project will impact the area. A public hearing is also scheduled for the end of the year.
