New Report: Parkway in Oak Hill Millions Cheaper Than TxDOT Toll Road Scheme

A new report by independent transportation experts shows that the Fix 290 Coalition’s parkway proposal for Highway 290 West in Oak Hill would be tens of millions of dollars less expensive than the elevated toll lanes proposed by TxDOT.

Click here to download the report >> [420k PDF]

The report, by Smart Mobility, Inc., shows that the Fix 290 parkway proposal would cost about half as much as TxDOT’s latest designs.

TxDOT’s plans show construction costs for U.S. Highway 290 West ranging from $121 million to $156 million. Fix 290’s parkway proposal would cost $77 million, according to the new report by Smart Mobility, Inc.

“We now have real numbers showing that a grade-level parkway will be much cheaper to build than TxDOT’s six elevated highway lanes,” says Carol Cespedes, spokesperson for the Fix 290 Coalition. “The parkway we propose is less expensive, less noisy for neighbors, and less damaging to Williamson Creek. We can save the oaks that give Oak Hill its name and save tax dollars at the same time with the Fix 290 parkway.”

Whether Oak Hill will be stuck with TxDOT’s proposed elevated toll roads or the community alternative of a grade-level parkway will be up to CAMPO. CAMPO is the body of local elected officials that determines how to spend federal transportation funds.

Last week, the Fix 290 Coalition released a report concluding that TxDOT’s elevated highway scheme would result in noise levels similar to those at the end of an airport runway.

Now, Fix 290 Coalition is demonstrating that TxDOT’s noisy proposal is also more costly, by tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars. Smart Mobility, Inc., also concluded that the Fix 290 parkway can handle expected increases in traffic volumes on Highway 290 West. TxDOT’s plans have drawn the ire of neighborhoods, businesses, and environmental groups. Over 2,300 people have signed a petition supporting the Fix 290 parkway at www.Fix290.org.

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