VOICE OF THE MAJORITY

In late April or early May this year, the City of Austin Public Works Department will start a 14-month construction project to improve 45th Street from Airport Blvd. to MoPac.

The project will extend from MoPac Boulevard near Camp Mabry to Airport Boulevard. It is a big project and an important one. I would like to ask your assistance in alerting your neighborhood membership about the project now so that they know start up is on the way.

Scope of the project:
Three new water lines, a 16-inch from Airport to Burnet Road, a 24-line from Lamar to Guadalupe and a 12-inch from Burnet to Placid Streets, will be installed during the project. Damaged storm drain inlets will be replaced, and new sidewalk will be built along the north side of 45th between Highland Terrace and Burnet Road. After the utility upgrades are made, the road will be reconstructed from the bottom up.

Traffic Impacts:
The Contractor will reconstruct one third of the road width at a time. That will leave two-thirds of the road width available for two lanes of traffic at all times, with one lane in each direction. Work will begin at two locations concurrently, Airport Blvd. and Lamar Blvd, and will move west. Work will take place 7 days a week. Working in more than one location at a time 7 days a week is designed to shorten the project and reduce its impact on everyone.

Project Incentives
To further shorten the project's duration, incentives are included in the contract for its early completion, up to a limit of $300,000. Project BenefitsThe west end of W. 45th Street within the project zone dates to the 1930s. The east end dates to the 1880s. Although maintenance has occurred on the roadway since that time, those who have driven it lately have felt its unusually bumpy ride. When the project is completed, upgraded utility lines will be in place to better serve the surrounding area, and the road itself will offer a smooth ride and acceptable level of service to motorists. In addition, it will be in condition to sustain another 20 years of heavy service that our central city arteries experience.

Start Date
The project will go to City Council for approval April 7. We expect to receive approval at that time and soon thereafter will be able to identify a start date. If your membership is interested in receiving Update emails about the progress of the project, they can email me at dennis.crabill@ci.austin.tx.us
and ask to be placed on my Update email list. Meanwhile if you have questions or concerns, I can be reached at 974-7232.
And thank you for assisting us in alerting your membership to the project!
Sincerely,Dennis Crabill
Project Manager
Public Works Department
974.7232
914.9427 mobile

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Sunday, April 10, 2005