Transportation Updates Transportation Updates[/caption]

1. Slaughter Creek overpass project


The Texas Department of Transportation began work May 2 on a yearlong project to replace the Slaughter Creek overpass on I-35 and build a new southbound-to-northbound U-turn bridge. The project—the first of many as part of the Mobility 35 initiative—also includes adding safety lighting from Slaughter Lane to Onion Creek Parkway and widening the southbound I-35 frontage road to two lanes at the intersection with the Slaughter Creek overpass, according to TxDOT. TxDOT spokesperson Kelli Reyna said rebuilding the bridge will necessitate a full closure of I-35 on June 24-25. During that time, crews will demolish the overpass.


Timeline: May 2016-anticipated summer 2017
Cost: $9.2 million
Funding sources: Texas Proposition 1



2. Loop 360


Work began Feb. 1 on the project to add auxiliary lanes, or extended entrance/exit lanes, on Loop 360 to improve intersections with Walsh Tarlton Lane, the Barton Creek Square Mall entrance, Loop 1 and the intersection just south of Loop 1. A left-turn lane will also be added creating a triple left-turn from northbound Loop 1 to northbound 360. Next steps as of mid-June include digging out the middle of Loop 360 and adding northbound and southbound extended entrance/exit lanes from the northbound Loop 1 frontage road through Walsh Tarlton.


Timeline: February 2016-spring 2017
Cost: $6.44 million
Funding sources: TxDOT



3. Bicycle/pedestrian bridge on Loop 1 over Barton Creek Greenbelt


Construction is still in progress on a bicycle and pedestrian bridge slated to be completed this summer. Partnering with the city of Austin, TxDOT is constructing the bridge, which has a shared-use path along northbound Loop 1 lanes over the Barton Creek Greenbelt from one frontage road turnaround to the other near Loop 1’s intersections with Southwest Parkway and Loop 360. Remaining work still includes bridge abutment work, railing and lighting work for the bridge, and completing the sidewalk tie-ins on either end of the project.


Timeline: February 2014-summer 2016
Cost: $7.7 million
Funding sources: TxDOT, city of Austin



4. South Congress Avenue upgrades


TxDOT is finishing Congress Avenue upgrades from Foremost Drive to Eberhart Lane. The revamped road will include five lanes, upgraded drainage facilities, bike lanes, and new sidewalks along the west side of Congress and in a few places where there are gaps in sidewalks on the east side of the road. The project is slated to be complete by the middle of the summer.


Timeline: October 2014-summer 2016
Cost: $6.3 million
Funding sources: TxDOT



5. Hazard elimination project on Fitzhugh Road


TxDOT plans to make safety improvements to Fitzhugh Road, including adding signage, delineation and guardrails along the Southwest Austin roadway, from Hwy. 290 to the Hays County line. The project is slated to go out for contractor bids in August 2017.


Timeline: August 2017-fall/winter 2017
Cost: approximately $104,500
Funding sources: TxDOT federal funds, Travis County