oakhillgazette.com
June 13, 2013 Volume 18, No. 12 Southwest Austin’s Community Newspaper Since 1995
SH45 SW committee gives CAMPO an update by Bobbie Jean Sawyer
AUSTIN - The longstanding battle over State Highway 45 Southwest, the proposed 3.6 mile stretch of roadway that would connect Mopac with FM 1626, is gearing up yet again. Travis County Precinct 3 Commissioner Gerald Daugherty reiterated his support for the roadway at the Capital Area Metropolitan
Daugherty says his goal is for SH45 project to get started in 2015 Planning Organization (CAMPO) monthly meeting on June 10th. Daugherty said SH 45 has been in favor with Travis County voters for quite some time. He made it an issue in his successful run for County Commissioner against
Karen Huber, who did not support building the road. “This is a road that for nearly 30 years has been talked about. It really got a boost back in 1997 when Travis County had a county-wide election. This was a stand-alone proposition.
Local All-stars try Dell Diamond on for size
This was not a road that was bundled. This is not a road that we were trying to drag along with some things.” Daugherty cited Travis County’s purchase of land for the road as further reason to complete the project. “This community has skin in the game with spending taxpayer dollars,” Daugherty said. Daugherty introduced Susan Narvaiz, former mayor of San Marcos and president and CEO of Core Strategies, Inc., a public relations consulting service, as facilitator for the SH 45 Southwest Committee, which was launched in January. Narvaiz,who hasservedasaCAMPO board member, said the purpose of the committee, which was created
at the behest of CAMPO Chairman Will Conley, is to research how to build SH 45. The committee is made up of Commissioner Daugherty (also a CAMPO board member), Hays Daugherty County commissioner Mark Jones and Robert Larsen, a board member on the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District. See SH45 SW on page 20
South Mopac Flyer debuts to good reviews by Ann Fowler
OAK HILL - Transit came to Circle C this week in the form of the South Mopac Flyer, Route 111. The new route runs through areas of Circle C, Legend Oaks, Western Oaks and Westcreek.
The Austin High Maroons’ Andrew Pate hits a towering pop-up in an All-Star game at Dell Diamond. Story and more photos on page 11. Gazette: Emmeline Aguirre
A bicyclist disembarks from the maiden run of South Mopac Flyer.
About a dozen passengers took the inaugural trip to downtown Austin and UT Monday morning to sample the new route, which originates at Escarpment and South Bay in Circle C, with stops on Escarpment, Beckett, Convict Hill and Brush Country. The route has no park and ride facility, but limited parking is available at Dick Nichols Park on Beckett and at Abiding Love Lutheran Church on Brush Country. Capital Metro officials hope that riders can walk or bike to the other stops. Two morning trips (starting at 6:50 and 7:30 a.m.) and two afternoon trips (leaving UT at 4:50 and 5:30 p.m.) are on the current schedule, but the route could grow as ridership demands. Oak Hill resident Dottie Watkins had used the Oak Hill Flyer from time to time, but did not find it convenient. She boarded the first bus See SH45 SW on page 14