Group nears goal to relocate 'Taco Bell Tree'

Recent bad weather delayed road work on an Oak Hill intersection and gave a local nonprofit group more time to raise more money to move a historic live oak tree.

The Austin Heritage Tree Foundation hopes to raise $3,800 by March 10 to move the so-called "Taco Bell Tree" to the nearby Beckett Grove, foundation Executive Director Michael Fossum said.

So far, the group has secured a city grant for some of the costs. It has raised $16,200 of the remaining $20,000 needed to relocate the tree.

"We are well on our way, but we are not quite finished yet," Fossum said.

If the foundation cannot raise the funds in time, the Texas Department of Transportation will remove the tree. The foundation has been coordinating its efforts with TxDOT, he said.

TxDOT is widening the roadway to build a continuous flow intersection at William Cannon Drive to temporarily alleviate traffic in the area. At CFIs, lanes are moved to allow a driver to turn left while a driver on the opposite side of the intersection can drive straight ahead.

Transportation authorities are working on a long-term traffic solution for the Hwy. 290 corridor.