The study examines potential traffic relief options for the Hwy. 71 and Hwy. 290 intersection. The Texas Department of Transportation and the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority will hold an open house Oct. 29 from 4:30-7 p.m. at Covington Middle School.[/caption]

1. Oak Hill Parkway study

The study examines potential traffic relief options for the Hwy. 71 and Hwy. 290 intersection. The Texas Department of Transportation and the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority will hold an open house Oct. 29 from 4:30-
7 p.m. at Covington Middle School.

Timeline: expected to end in 2016
Cost: TBD
Funding sources: TBD

2. New Hwy. 71 lanes

TxDOT opened new lanes of Hwy. 71 on Sept. 2 as part of a five-phase project. The road had been reduced to two lanes since March to complete Phase 2, which consisted of raising the road and restriping it to four lanes from Thomas Springs Road to Southwest Parkway. In September TxDOT began work on Phase 3, which involves adding a center turn lane and shoulders from Thomas Springs to Covered Bridge Road. Phase 3 will be completed in spring 2016.

Timeline: summer 2014-summer 2016
Cost: $15.9 million
Funding sources: TxDOT

3. Behind schedule: Frate Barker Road widening

The project will widen the road to a four-lane section from east of Hewitt Lane to Manchaca Road and add a two-lane section and two bicycle lanes from east of Brodie Lane to Hewitt. A continuous center left turn lane is being added through both sections, from east of Brodie to Manchaca. An AT&T utility relocation delayed the project, but work on that is expected to be completed this fall.

Timeline: February 2014-summer 2017
Cost: about $7 million for construction
Funding sources: Travis County, TxDOT

4. South Congress Avenue lanes

TxDOT said it is working to solve utility conflicts so it can complete lane additions on South Congress Avenue from Foremost Drive to Eberhart Lane. The road will be reconstructed to a four-lane, divided road.

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

TxDOT will add auxiliary lanes, or extended entrance and 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 on the northbound frontage road of Loop 1 at Loop 360. TxDOT opened the project to bids in September and selected Dan Williams Construction as the contractor. The next step is a pre-construction meeting with the contractor, and construction is on track to begin by winter.[/caption]

5. Loop 360

TxDOT will add auxiliary lanes, or extended entrance and 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 on the northbound frontage road of Loop 1 at Loop 360. TxDOT opened the project to bids in September and selected Dan Williams Construction as the contractor. The next step is a pre-construction meeting with the contractor, and construction is on track to begin by winter.

Timeline: winter 2015-spring 2017
Cost: $6.44 million
Funding sources: TxDOT

6. Bicycle/pedestrian bridge along Loop 1 over Barton Creek Greenbelt

Partnering with the city of Austin, TxDOT is constructing a bridge and 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 includes adding columns, beams, railings and lights.

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