AUSTIN, Texas — A full reconstruction of the "Y" interchange at U.S. 290 and State Highway 71 officially began Thursday morning. It’s part of the Oak Hill Parkway project, which the Texas Department of Transportation broke ground on July 1.
The purpose of the project is to "improve safety and mobility" on U.S. 290 and SH 71 in southwest Austin, according to a press release from TxDOT.
Reconstruction of the "Y" will include adding two new flyovers and cross street configurations along U.S. 290 west of the "Y." TxDOT is also creating approximately 15 miles of bike and pedestrian paths along the interchange.
In addition to the work on the Y, the Oak Hill Parkway project will add lanes on U.S. 290, remove traffic signals on the main lanes and add flyovers between U.S. 290 and SH 71. The construction will take place along 6 miles of U.S. 290 and 1.2 miles of SH 71.
The Oak Hill Parkway Project is part of the Texas Clear Lanes project. Texas Clear Lanes is a fully funded $674 million project.
Construction is set to be complete between 2025 and 2026, weather permitting.
The Oak Hill Parkway project has been met with friction in the past. In 2019, multiple environmental groups sued TxDOT and other entities over the then-proposed project.
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