Southwest Austin | Dripping Springs - June 2022

TRANSPORTATION UPDATES

New interim transportation director named

BY KAITLYN WILKES

On June 5, Public Works Department Director Richard Mendoza took over as the interim Austin Transportation Department Director. Former director Rob Spillar is moving to the private sector. Mendoza has 27 years of experi- ence in public service in Austin and other large metropolitan areas. “I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with former director Spillar since my arrival

Richard Mendoza (left) took over as interim director of the Austin Transportation Department.

COURTESY AUSTIN TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT

in Austin in January 2017 as the public works director,” Mendoza said. “Many of the activities of both departments, we share the same space within the public right of way.” Deputy Director of Public Works James Snow will act as Public Works director.

Crews are nishing work on the Circle Dr. and Southview Rd. intersection.

DEEDA LOVETTCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

South I35 project funding approved

ONGOING PROJECTS

BY GLORE MARTINEZ

The Texas Transportation Commission approved a nearly $548 million contract to build the I-35 Capital Express South project, according to a May 31 news release. Two high-occupancy vehicle lanes will be constructed in each direction along I-35 from Hwy. 71/Ben White Boulevard to SH 45 SE. The project will also add intersection bypass lanes and improve pedestrian and bicycle paths. Fluor Corp. was awarded the contract. The commission also approved a sep- arate $3.5 million contract to extend the pedestrian barrier along the lanes to deter pedestrians from crossing the interstate in areas without crosswalks. The completed barrier will run 25 miles along I-35 from SH 45 SE to Greenlawn Boulevard in Round Rock. The I-35 Capital Express Central project is in the technical studies phase. Construction on the I-35 Capital Express North project is expected to begin later in 2022.

290

Capital Metro to use American Rescue Plan Act funds for stang shortages

ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF JUNE 14. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT SWANEWSCOMMUNITYIMPACT.COM. in July. The current intersection of Circle/South View with Hwy. 290 will be closed and relocated to allow work to begin on the bridge over 290 at that location. Timeline: fall 2021-26 Cost: $7.1 billion Funding source: TxDOT Oak Hill Parkway Texas Department of Transportation crews are wrapping up work on the frontage roads of Hwy. 290 between Thunderbird Road and Southview Road/Circle Drive ahead of a tempo- rary intersection that will be installed

BY CHLOE YOUNG

its grant to hire and retain more sta with career development services and training. Frontline workers such as operators, supervisors, mechanics and dispatchers, will undergo a training program with the goal of providing employees better support and furthering long- term employment. The grant comes through the FTA’s Route Planning Restoration Program, which allocates $25 million in ARPA dollars to help transit agencies recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

Capital Metro was awarded $780,100 in American Rescue Plan Act funds, the U.S. Depart- ment of Transportation and Federal Transit Administration announced June 3. “This is great news for the hardworking frontline sta at Cap[ital] Metro, and it will truly make a dierence,” interim Capital Metro CEO Dottie Watkins said in a press release. As Capital Metro has strug- gled with stang shortages amidst the pandemic, the Austin transit agency will use

Report Loose Dogs onthe Mobile app.

TRAVIS COUNTY WANTS TO DO BUSINESS WITH YOU Travis County Purchasing Office is located at 700 Lavaca Street Suite 800 Austin, Texas 78701 Phone: 512 854-9700

Visit our website for current solicitations. https://www.traviscountytx.gov/purchasing

SOUTHWEST AUSTIN DRIPPING SPRINGS EDITION • JUNE 2022