Group opposes Oak Hill Parkway plans ahead of public hearing

A group of residents in Southwest Austin is demanding changes to plans to overhaul the infamous “Y” at Oak Hill. Known as Fix 290, the group issued a press release on Monday calling for the Texas Department of Transportation to scale back plans for the so-called Oak Hill Parkway. Long part of the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority’s portfolio, plans for the parkway hit a major speed bump last year when, under pressure from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Gov. Greg Abbott, the Texas Transportation Commission nixed the idea of using state tax dollars on toll projects. “Given this major change to the project of dropping tolling, it is time to revisit fundamental design features,” Fix 290 spokesperson Carol Cespedes said. “The current plan is good for tolling, but bad for community. The plan as designed ignores federal mandates for context-sensitive design.” The existing plans envision a six-lane elevated tollway flanked on each side by three lanes of frontage road. Instead, Fix 290 is calling for “a six-lane, ground level parkway design that would preserve the local community’s environment.” Both TxDOT and the CTRMA will hold a public hearing on the parkway plans this Thursday at Bowie High School.