Tag: Travis County

RM 620 at Anderson Mill Road Intersection Project

~ Luke Ellis ~ Leave a comment

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will be making improvements to a 1.2-mile project known as “RM 620 at Anderson Mill Road Intersection Project” from south of Foundation Road to Little Elm Trail, Travis and Williamson counties. It is estimated for construction to cost $45 million. The proposed improvements include the (i) addition of overpasses; (ii) addition of turnarounds; (iii) construction of an additional right-turn lane from northbound RM 620 to eastbound Anderson Mill Road; and (iv) shared-use paths for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Approximately 32 acres of new right-of-way and 0.3 acres of temporary construction easements are required, leading to around 25 commercial displacements. We anticipate right of way acquisition to begin in the next 1-2 months. Appraisers have inspected several property owners’ businesses. Construction is anticipated to start in 2027 according to the TxDOT website. Property owners impacted by this project can seek a free consultation of their case from Marrs Ellis & Hodge LLP.

Update: I-35 Capital Express Central Project

~ Luke Ellis ~ Leave a comment

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) selected Modified Alternative 3 as the preferred alternative on August 21, 2023. This design reduced the number of residential displacements to 26 and business displacements to 69. Modified Alternative 3 will remove the upper decks and adds deck plazas that will allow for other infrastructure and amenities to be built on top. TxDOT is working with the City of Austin and the University of Texas to add this local enhancement and help with funding.

TxDOT has begun filing condemnation lawsuits to take land from property owners impacted by this project. However, there are still some landowners who have not received their initial offer, final offer, or TxDOT’s appraisal. If the final offer is not accepted, the condemnor TxDOT will file their lawsuit which is the first step in the litigation process. If TxDOT continues at this pace, the first phase of construction could begin mid 2024 as stated on its website. Property owners impacted by TxDOT’s I-35 Central Project may reach out to Marrs Ellis & Hodge for an evaluation of their initial or final offer at no cost.

I-35 Improvements in Austin

~ Luke Ellis ~ Leave a comment

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) of Austin will be making improvements to 28 miles of Interstate 35 from SH 45 North to SH 45 southeast though an on-going project known as the I-35 Capital Express Program. It is made up of three stand-alone projects – North, Central and South. The Central project is on a later time frame, while the North and South projects are generally ahead, and on the same timeline.

The North I-35 project’s improvements include, but are not limited to, adding one non-tolled high-occupancy vehicle managed lane in each direction (from SH 45 North to US 290 East), reconstructing bridges, and adding a diverging diamond interchange. TxDOT says that the project will require an additional 17 acres of new right-of-way (ROW), and will displace 5 commercial properties. Offer letters are currently underway and construction is expected to begin sometime this year. Similarly, the South I-35 project’s improvements include, but are not limited to, adding two non-tolled high occupancy vehicle managed lanes in each direction (from SH 71/Ben White Boulevard to SH 45 Southeast), reconstructing bridges, and adding pedestrian and bicycle paths. For the South project, TxDOT says an additional 13 acres of new ROW will be required. Final designs are out, and offers letter are currently being sent to affected landowners. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2022.