50¢ oakhillgazette.com
PRST STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID EDDM RETAIL
August 18, 2016 Volume 21, No. 17 Southwest Austin’s Community Newspaper Since 1995
OHAN reviews Oak Hill Parkway answers by Ann Fowler
OAK HILL - Earlier this year, the Oak Hill Association of Neighborhoods (OHAN) said they would endorse the Oak Hill Parkway if the roadway officials met ten requests. Staffers at the Oak Hill Parkway recently published a report on the fulfillment of those requests. Darryl Pruett, OHAN president, said the results were mixed. Of the ten, OHAN felt two were met, two were not, and the remaining were only partially met.
Fall football preview, p. 11
Noise Mitigation – Utilize noise reduction technologies including low noise surface.
technology and creative design
The report said a noise study is being done but would not guarantee that a sound wall would be used. Mindful of the noise-producing pavement used by the Texas Department of Transportation on local roadways, the group asked that Permeable Friction Course (FPC) pavement be considered.
The report said that elevations have been minimized. However, according to Pruett, the report says the height of the flyover at the ‘Y’ would be 34 feet above existing ground, with an average height of 25 feet. Pruett said his recollection from previous meetings was that the height would be 25 feet, so he felt this did not meet the criteria.
The report said, “Although PFC generally results in lower traffic noise levels than standard pavement, it is not an FHWA approved noise abatement measure and is not part of the noise analysis.”
Water Quality – Proposed water quality and flood control infrastructure should be sufficient for regional use, including improvements for existing commercial properties. TxDOT’s newly installed flood control infrastructure as part of the interim intersection improvements should mitigate downstream flooding.
Pruett said, “We reviewed what they said they had done. My feeling was they said, ‘We’ll comply with the law.’ As a committee we did not feel they have met that criteria at this time.” The Bulldogs faced fierce and formidable opposition in their first live action when Class 6A state semi-finalist Converse Judson visited Burger Stadium on a bright, sunny morning last Friday. - Photos by J.R. Flores
Elevation – Eliminate or minimize elevation using modern
The report points out that no or few water quality measures existed when the roadway was originally built and mentioned a number See OHAN on back page