Local Transportation Projects
Regional transportation authorities are collaborating on a number of transportation improvement projects in the greater Austin metroplex. Within the district’s contributing and recharge zones there are specific projects that may be of interest to local citizens. The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer District provides the following information as resources if you would like to follow these projects or participate in the public input aspects of each project.
Our role as a District is to serve as a key stakeholder on the project technical working groups during the environmental review and design phases of each project. With these projects being located over an environmentally sensitive area, we place a strong emphasis on encouraging local transportation authorities to construct all highways and roadways in an environmentally and prudent fashion. It is important that these roadway projects be designed to protect the aquifer from potential effects of the highway construction and subsequent use.
| Upcoming Event | Highway Project |
|---|---|
| Written Comments on Draft EIS due by August 13, 2014 Download Draft Environmental Impact Statement Written comments regarding the Draft EIS may be submitted to TxDOT– Austin District, Attention: Stacey Benningfield, P.O. Drawer 15426, Austin, TX 78761-5426. Comments will be accepted at the project website at www.sh45sw.com. The deadline to submit public comment will be Wednesday, August 13, 2014, which is 15 calendar days after the date of the public hearing. |
SH 45SW |
| PUBLIC HEARING ON DRAFT EIS TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014 Download Draft Environmental Impact Statement5:00-6:00 PM: Open House 6:00 PM: Technical Presentations, followed by a public comment period. During the Open House, project information will be available for review and project team members will be available to answer questions. BOWIE HIGH SCHOOL (Cafeteria) |
SH 45SW |
| Previous MoPac Intersections Environmental Study Events: •Virtual Open House for the Meet & Greet Event, 10/25 – 11/4, 2013 •Meet and Greet Event at Parkside Village, October 24, 2013 |
MoPac Intersections |
| Previous MoPac South Environmental Study Events: •Virtual Open House, April 29-May 9, 2014 •Open House at Barton Creek Square Mall, April 29, 2014 •Virtual Open House, November 8-18, 2013 •Open House at Bowie High School, November 7, 2013 |
MoPac South |
MoPac Intersections ( Loop 1/ Slaughter & Loop 1/LaCrosse)
The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (Mobility Authority) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) are working with local partners, including the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, to study possible mobility and safety improvements on MoPac Expressway at the intersections of Slaughter Lane and La Crosse Avenue. Proposed improvements could include an overpass, underpass, or other intersection concepts. The study team will work together with the community to develop a solution that improves mobility, safety and connectivity while being sensitive to public and environmental concerns.
Mopac South
The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (Mobility Authority) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) are working with the City of Austin, Capital Metro and other local partners to improve mobility on approximately eight miles of the MoPac Expressway from Cesar Chavez Street to the Slaughter Lane area (project limits will be confirmed following traffic and environmental analysis).
An Environmental Study has been initiated to determine the best alternatives for improving mobility and safety. Over the course of the study, a full range of alternatives will be developed that will take into account the needs of drivers, transit riders, bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as surrounding businesses, neighborhoods and the environment. Extensive analysis of engineering feasibility as well as social, economic and environmental impacts of each alternative will be conducted. With this information and public input, the study team will identify a recommended solution.
Oak Hill Parkway
The Environmental Study, which is also called The Oak Hill Parkway, is a combined effort of the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (Mobility Authority), the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Capital Metro, the City of Austin and Travis County to address traffic congestion at the intersection of US 290 and SH 71. The Study area will be from Loop 1 to west of FM 1826 along US 290W and between Silvermine Drive and US 290W along SH 71.
An environmental study is currently underway to determine the best options for increasing mobility in the area, and public involvement is a key part of the process. The environmental study was re-launched in October 2012 and is expected to take three to five years to complete.
SH 45 SW
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is working with the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (Mobility Authority), and regulatory agencies to study a possible solution for improving mobility in the rapidly growing area of northern Hays and southern Travis counties. This combined effort includes an environmental study of an area between MoPac and FM 1626. The study will consider environmental impacts, constraints, the needs of drivers, and concerns of surrounding neighbors. Potential impacts from construction and operation will be evaluated.
Throughout the study, the community will be consulted on a variety of elements, for example, the Purpose and Need, the alternatives being studied, bicycle and pedestrian accommodations, transit accommodations, aesthetics, noise analysis, environmental issues, neighborhood access and roadway design. Community outreach and public input is critical to the process.