|
MoPac 1 E-Update (No.3)
|
edward tasch
|
Apr 08, 2007 08:39 PDT
|
MoPac 1 E-Update - No. 3 - April 6, 2007
From the desk of John P. Kelly, P.E., MoPac 1 Project Manager, DMJM
Harris
Managed Lanes and Noise Barriers for Loop 1?
As I’ve mentioned in previous E-Updates, we will be holding the second
set of MoPac 1 open houses next week. The first open house will be on
Tuesday, April 10 at the O. Henry Middle School Cafeteria, 2610 W. 10th
Street. The second one will be on Thursday, April 12 at the McCallum
High School Cafeteria, 5600 Sunshine Drive. Both open houses will run
from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The information presented at both open houses will be the same, and
there will be a lot of it. We will present the process used to evaluate
various alternatives, and then present a recommended alternative that
would add a managed lane in each direction within the MoPac 1 project
limits. A brief presentation about the evaluation process and
alternatives under consideration will be given at 5:30 p.m. and again at
6:45 p.m. on both nights.
Based on preliminary noise analysis work that has been completed to date
we will also be presenting information regarding preliminary locations
of potential noise barriers.
TxDOT staff and MoPac 1 consultants will be available throughout the
open house to provide more information, listen to your concerns, and
answer questions. Of course, both open houses will provide you with an
opportunity to submit your comments in either written or transcribed
form.
Fourth MoPac 1-to-ONE Will Reach Out to Transit Users
The MoPac 1 project team will reach out to Capital Metro customers on
Thursday, May 3 by holding a MoPac 1-to-ONE gathering at the North Lamar
Transit Center, weather permitting. TxDOT staff and other members of
the MoPac 1 project team will be on hand from 6:30 a.m. until 8:30 a.m.
to meet and greet morning commuters. The Transit Center is located at
8001 US 183, which is just northwest of the intersection of US 183 and
SL 275 (N. Lamar Boulevard).
As the name implies, MoPac 1-to-ONE events are intended to provide
direct communication between individual stakeholders and project team
members. By hosting these gatherings in convenient locations and times,
we are striving to make it easier for individuals to access the team
members to directly ask questions, share concerns, and offer
recommendations. While some of the gatherings may focus on specific
themes or issues, everyone is encouraged to attend and all questions are
welcome.
I look forward to seeing you on May 3rd! And if you can’t make it,
please call the MoPac 1 Information Line at 498-7700 with suggestions
for possible meeting times, locations and topics.
MoPac 1 Aesthetics Advisory Committee Gets Underway
In February we solicited applications from persons interested in serving
on an Aesthetics Advisory Committee (AAC) for the MoPac 1 project. I am
pleased to report that all of the committee’s positions have been
filled. Those positions include nine community representatives, a Texas
Historical Commission (THC) representative, a City of Austin (COA)
representative, the TxDOT project manager and the TxDOT District
Landscape Architect.
We held our first meeting on March 27, 2007, and we will continue
meeting approximately monthly through August to develop recommendations
about how the community’s identity and values can be reflected in the
project's aesthetic elements. The aesthetic elements include such
things as noise barriers, retaining walls, plantings, ornamental
lighting, and sign structures. TxDOT will consider the AAC’s input when
deciding what actions or recommendations to implement.
I serve as chair of the committee and Catherine Judd, a landscape
architect with the MoPac 1 project team, provides us with technical
support and expertise. The other members of the committee, listed
alphabetically, and their affiliations, are:
Frances Allen, Envision Central Texas, MoNAC
Kerry Blackmon, TXDOT Austin District Landscape Architect
Matthew Bucher, Bryker Woods Neighborhood Association
Adrienne Campbell, Texas Historical Commission, History Programs
Division
Linda Godinex, Bryker Woods Neighborhood Association MoNAC
Sam Haddad, Highland Park West Balcones Area Neighborhood Association
Larry Halford, Old West Austin Neighborhood Association
Mark Herber, TXDOT Austin District MoPac 1 Project Manager
Kay Newell, Allandale Neighborhood Association, MoNAC
Fred Robinson, MoNAC
Ross Robinson, Superintendent of Austin State School
Steve Sadowsky, City of Austin Historic Preservation Officer
Krista Saeger, Highland Park West Balcones Area Neighborhood Association
All of us on the AAC look forward to discussing with you how to best
reflect and respect Austin’s unique character as we improve mobility
through the MoPac 1 project For more information about the Aesthetics
Advisory Committee, visit the project website at www.MoPac1.org
<http://www.mopac1.org/> or call Steve Craddock at 512-457-7769.
Sample Noise Barrier Update
On March 12, the bid opening for the sample noise barrier was held, and
no bids were submitted by contractors. The state is going to talk with
local contractors and re-bid the project with a bid opening on May 12.
We’ll let you know the results.
John P. Kelly
Project Manager, MoPac 1
DMJM Harris
|
|
 |
|
