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This project will upgrade the low water crossing on Oak Blvd. and improve the roadside ditches and culverts.

Latest Information: Read the most recent email update from Jan. 4, 2024.

The Oak Acres project was originally part of another project in the Oak Park neighborhood. We decided to pursue the Oak Acres project separately with the goal of being able to start construction sooner.

Map of Proposed Improvements

Map showing proposed improvements

Bridge Upgrade

Oak Blvd. is the only access in and out of the Oak Acres neighborhood. It includes a low water crossing over the Gaines Tributary of Barton Creek. During heavy rainfall, the low water crossing can become flooded, cutting off all access to the neighborhood. We are proposing to replace the low water crossing with a bridge that will significantly improve access during storms. The bridge would consist of two travel lanes, 10 feet in width, the same as the existing travel lanes. For pedestrian and driver safety, we would also add a curb and sidewalk on each side of the bridge, creating a seven-foot buffer from cars on either side. There will be a railing on the outside of the bridge. 

Image of bridge showing lanes and sidewalk

There will be ramps connecting the sidewalks on the bridge to the street near each of the four corners of the bridge. There are no current plans to add sidewalks in other parts of the neighborhood.

Roadside Ditches

We are proposing to upgrade the culverts and ditches, also called swales, on Oak Blvd. The size of the improved ditches varies from approximately two to three feet deep. On average, they would be about 2.5 feet deep. At the top, most of ditches would be about 15 feet wide. We have adjusted the original plans to allow for more parking on Oak Blvd. North.

Residents are responsible for mowing and routine landscape-type maintenance.

Gaines Tributary Downstream of Oak Blvd.

The Gaines Tributary starts just upstream of the neighborhood, flows towards Southwest Parkway, passes Mopac and then flows into Barton Creek. The tributary slows down and spreads out after passing Oak Blvd. as the land becomes flatter with less of a slope. You can see this change in the floodplain on the map above. We have heard concerns that water is backing up downstream of Oak Blvd. Our analysis shows that the change in slope is the primary cause of this flow pattern. However, giant cane and bamboo have become established in the creek and could also be slowing down the water. We plan to remove these invasive plants within the drainage easement when we install the Oak Boulevard bridge. (Easements are indicated on the map above by dotted lines.)

We have been monitoring the creek downstream of the neighborhood and will continue to do so. Please note that we do not have drainage easements in this area, which limits our ability to perform maintenance or restrict the use of the land.

Trees

Trees are important to us, and we try to affect as few as possible. However, we will need to remove  trees for this project. This is due to a combination of factors, primarily the improvements to the drainage ditches and maintenance. Some tree removal is due to the proposed bridge. Trees that we are proposing to remove are highlighted in green on this plan sheet. There is a table of all the trees at the end of the document.

Oak Hill Parkway

We have worked closely with TxDOT and reviewed the Oak Hill Parkway design. We do not believe it will impact drainage in the Oak Acres neighborhood.

Timeline

Capital improvement projects take many years from start to finish. The process includes the following phases:

  • Preliminary Engineering – a solution is identified and costs are estimated.
  • Design – the details are worked out and construction plans drawn up.
  • Permitting and Bidding –all permits are acquired and a contractor is hired.
  • Construction.

The Oak Acres project is currently in the permitting and bidding phase. Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2024.

Documents

Email Updates

To receive email updates, please send an email to Stephanie Lott.

Questions?

Please reach out to one of the following people: