draft

This project will reduce flooding for houses and roads near Little Walnut Creek between Metric Blvd. and Rutland Dr.  It includes a pipe to carry floodwaters, pond improvements at Quail Creek Park and upgrades to wastewater pipes.

Status

May 15, 2024:  Phase 2 has begun. During Phase 2, work will be on Mearns Meadow between Parkfield and Mountain Quail. This section of Mearns Meadow will be closed to thru traffic throughout Phase 2. There will be a smaller, active work area closed to all traffic that will slowly progress up Mearns Meadow. There may be additional road closures depending on the exact location of the active work area. We anticipate finishing Phase 2 by the end of the year, weather permitting.

Please expect the following:

  • Noise, dust and possible vibrations.
  • Driveways to be blocked when work is directly in front of a house.
  • Some tree trimming if the branches are hanging low enough over the street that equipment may strike the branches. This is to better protect the tree.
  • Several inlets will be installed along the curb before the end of the year. Some of these are new, and some are replacing or expanding existing inlets. At corner lots, the inlets may be on side streets rather than on Mearns Meadow, itself.

Map of Project Phasing

Map showing project phases.

 

Project Overview

Floodwater will be diverted to a large box culvert that will run under Mearns Meadow Boulevard. A box culvert is a rectangular-shaped pipe installed under the road. The proposed box culvert would run from Quail Valley Boulevard to the Mearns Meadow Detention Pond in Quail Creek Park. 

The project will benefit many homes. Some homes will no longer be in the floodplain. Others will remain in the floodplain, but will be much less likely to flood. Any flooding that occurs should be less severe. 

Project Features

  • 13-foot by 10-foot concrete box culvert 
  • New inlets to allow water to enter the box culvert and reduce street flooding 
  • Improvements to Mearns Meadow Detention Pond 
  • Improvements to water and wastewater lines 
  • Improvements to Quail Creek Park and trails 
  • Mearns Meadow Boulevard repaved and reconstructed 

Anticipated Construction Schedule

Construction will take place on Mearns Meadow Boulevard in four phases. 

  • Phase 1 - between Rutland Dr. and Parkfield Dr.  
    • Work resumed in July, 2023. Phase 1 work is anticipated to be completed in March 2024
  • Phase 2 – between Parkfield Dr. and Mountain Quail Rd. 
    • Work will begin at the conclusion of Phase 1. Work is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2024. 
  • Phase 3 – between Mountain Quail Rd. and Quail Valley Dr. 
    • Work will begin in early-2025 and is anticipated to be completed by mid-2025. 
  • Phase 4 – between Quail Valley Dr. and Boyer Blvd. 
    • Work will begin in mid-2025 and is anticipated to be completed by early-2026. 

Construction Impacts

This project will cause some disruptions to the neighborhood. We ask that you stay aware of safety fencing and signage and keep children and pets away from the construction area and equipment. We will coordinate with emergency workers to ensure that they will always have access to the area.  

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience and cooperation. Please expect the following:  

Noise, Dust and Vibrations: Work hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.  

Getting Around: We will close lanes and sometimes whole blocks of Mearns Meadow Boulevard between Metric and Rutland. The street may be rough to drive on before it is reconstructed at the end of the project. Bus routes may be detoured.  

Blocked Driveways: Residents will not be able to access driveways for a few days when work is directly in front of their house. Please park cars on the street when driveway is not accessible.

Water: There is always the potential for temporary, unexpected disruptions to water or other services if a line is accidentally cut. We will take care to avoid this.  

Yards and Trees: There will be some digging in designated yards behind the curb to install 30 new inlets. The digging will be in the right of way, which extends about 10 feet behind the curb line. A City of Austin arborist will decide which trees need to be protected with fencing or planking and if any low-hanging branches need to be trimmed.   

Park: We have closed the soccer fields and other areas within Quail Creek Neighborhood Park during construction. The park, including the soccer field and the exercise equipment will be restored once work is completed. In the meantime, Brownie Park may be used as an alternative soccer field for residents.   

Estimated Budget

$19.7 million for construction

Documents 

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