Here’s the Latest on
Oak Hill Parkway
 

YOU ARE SHAPING OAK HILL PARKWAY

• Developing alternatives that address the traffic congestion in the corridor
• Reducing the elevation of the interchange at the intersection of US 290 and SH 71
• Depressing the US 290 mainlanes at the intersection of US 290 and SH 71 and at all crossings further west
• Extending the improvements past Circle Drive
• Realigning the westbound US 290 exit to RM 1826 in order to improve access for students and teachers heading to Austin Community College
• Adding multi-modal shared use path facilities throughout the project
• Improving access for businesses along SH 71 just north of US 290
• Potentially reducing flooding with upstream detention
• Minimizing impacts to Williamson Creek

WHERE ARE WE TODAY

Unfortunately, no. The traffic demand on this corridor is just too high. The project team is designing a project that meets the traffic demand along the corridor today and best manages the traffic projections of tomorrow. We are trying to keep the footprint as small as is responsible, and it’s important to us to design something that requires very limited right-of-way acquisition.

When we launched the study in 2012, the community told us that traffic congestion is a serious problem. In fact, 83% of survey respondents agreed that a goal of any proposed improvement should be to reduce congestion and manage traffic. TxDOT and the Mobility Authority are tasked with providing a real transportation solution that provides meaningful traffic relief.

There are several reasons why we’re proposing elevated structures in Oak Hill. The first is that part of the project lies within a 100-year flood zone. In order to minimize impacts to the floodplain and to provide a reliable transportation corridor during a major flood event, the mainlanes need to be built above the floodplain elevation.

The second reason is that there is a large volume of traffic on US 290. Signalized intersections are not a long-term mobility solution when traffic volumes are as high, so we have to separate the mainlanes from the frontage roads at William Cannon and at SH 71.

We’ve heard from the community that it’s important that we minimize these intersections, and the project team is working hard to design the smallest footprint with the least impact on community values, such as the oak trees, Williamson Creek, businesses and the neighborhoods.

WANT TO LEARN MORE? Click here to read our new information page on the proposed elevated structures.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

As the environmental study continues, and we have more information to share, a good source for project facts is our project website at www.OakHillParkway.com. Our Frequently Asked Questions and Environmental Study pages are regularly updated to keep you informed.

Do you have a question that still needs an answer? Ask us directly by contacting us here!

WHAT'S UP WITH CURRENT CONSTRUCTION? 

While the Oak Hill Parkway Project is looking at long-term solutions to address traffic congestion and related issues, the Texas Department of Transportation are soon to open the second of two interim intersection improvement projects in the Oak Hill area to ease congestion, improve mobility and enhance safety.

Delays at the intersection of William Cannon and US 290 are due to a water line that was found under the roadway. TxDOT crews are working to resolve the issue. The unexpected water line location coupled with the rainy weather we had this spring has delayed the project slightly. However, we still anticipate construction of the interim improvements to be complete by mid-September 2015.

For more information, click here.