AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Construction on a major southwest Austin intersection is set to get underway this week, as officials break ground on the Oak Hill Parkway project.
Texas Department of Transportation crews will break ground on the project Thursday, with major construction activity on U.S. 290 set to get underway later this year.
The $674 million project, which has been on the board for area transportation planners for more than 25 years, will aim to "improve safety and mobility" along the U.S. 290 and SH 71 corridors. Officials say the project has been needed for years, with the existing "Y" at Oak Hill having reached capacity in 1995, despite increased congestion and population growth.
When the project is complete, drivers will have two new flyovers at the "Y" connecting U.S. 290 to SH 71 heading west. The mainlanes of U.S. 290 will also be lowered below SH 71 headed westbound.
West of the "Y", intersections at Convict Hill Road, RM 1826, Scenic Brook Drive, and Circle Drive will be rebuilt, with overpasses being built over the lowered U.S. 290 mainlanes. East of the "Y", at the 290/71 intersection with William Cannon Drive, the highway mainlanes will be elevated above William Cannon with a new overpass.
14 miles of shared-use paths and 1.5 miles of sidewalks are also a part of the project. U-turns will also be constructed along the frontage roads to provide local business access.
The entire project is expected to be completed by late 2025 into 2026, weather permitting.