oakhillgazette.com
August 21, 2014 Volume 19, No. 17 Southwest Austin’s Community Newspaper Since 1995
290 West road work hurting local businesses by Ann Fowler
David Tucci says business is off since Oak Meadow Drive was closed.
OAK HILL - Road construction making improvements to ease congestion on U.S. 290 West is causing collateral damage to local businesses. Oak Meadow Drive, the street behind Planet Fitness, has been temporarily closed during local construction. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is currently working on several projects in Oak Hill, including: • An innovative intersection at William Cannon and U.S. 290 West
• Improved turn lanes on U.S. 290 West between Convict Hill and RM 1826 The road closure at Oak Meadow Drive was a surprise to many, and a problem for businesses whose customers used that road for access. Tucci’s Southside Subs has been a staple at the Oak Hill Plaza for six years. Owner David Tucci says he was blindsided by the road closure. He told the Gazette, “We have a base of very loyal customers who have braved the traffic for years, but just a few weeks ago, without any word
from anybody, they dropped cement barricades in front of Oak Meadow and the U.S. 290 West entrance to the entire shopping center. This forces all our customers from the west (ACC, the hospital, etc.) to go through the light at the ‘Y’ and enter our center from the Highway 71 side. This often takes over 10 minutes at the lunch hour. They used to be able to turn left on Oak Meadow and enter the back side of the center.” Tucci said the loss to his business is at least $200 a day in sales, and See 290 WEST page 26
Inside: High School Football preview:
Maroons! Bulldogs! Cougars! Scrimmage action • Key players • New coaches • Season schedules • Photos, p. 11
Gazette: Emmeline Aguirre
Crockett running back Justin Miller crosses the goal line in a scrimmage against the Austin High Maroons. Bowie scrimmaged perennial San Antonio power Converse Judson.