CTRMA, TxDOT launch Oak Hill environmental study

The brand and its logo were unveiled at a press conference hosted by the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority and the Texas Department of Transportation on Oct. 17 to launch the study, which will investigate the environmental and social impact of a long-term project to relieve traffic congestion at the Hwy. 290/Hwy. 71 intersection.

“This is one of the most congested areas in the city, and [members of the community] have been begging for solutions for a long time,” Capital Metro Executive Director Linda Watson said. “This is the beginning of the solution.”

Improved mobility would not only relieve traffic congestion but also open doors for land use planning and further development, she said.

Ray Wilkerson, CTRMA chairman, said the project's facilitators and partners including Travis County and the City of Austin have tried to get as much input from the community as possible.

“There are a lot of diverse opinions on this, and we want to have as much feedback from the public as we can,” he said.

Public input sought for traffic improvement project

At a workshop Aug. 29, about 40 Oak Hill residents discussed the project and suggested potential project names. Members of the community were invited to cast their votes for six options—Oak Hill Parkway, Oak Hill Way, Oak Hill Gateway, Convict Hill Parkway, Oak Hill Connection, and Gateway Oak Hill—and Oak Hill Parkway won by popular vote.

Now the public can ask additional questions and voice concerns to the project team at the first Oak Hill Parkway public meeting, which is scheduled for Nov. 15 from 6-8 p.m. at Small Middle School.

State Rep. Paul Workman, R-District 47, and Travis County Commissioner Karen Huber both support the project. Huber noted significant challenges including the gridlock and challenging topography.

“It is going to take all the stakeholders and the community working together to get it right,” she said. “We don't know what the end result is going to be.”

The project is long overdue, Workman said. “There are hundreds of thousands of hours lost just sitting in traffic,” he said, adding he is often in one of those cars. Residents have also said they want a town center in the area, but with the way cars come to a standstill at the intersection, it would be difficult for them to get there, he said.

TxDOT and the City of Austin will also implement short-term improvements at intersections along West Hwy. 290 to help relieve congestion. More information about the project is available at www.oakhillparkway.com.