Bee Cave work to take two more years

Utility relocation, which caused delays in project, to be finished by end of year.

Commuters won’t be seeing a letup on the construction on Bee Cave Road until summer of 2019.

Texas Department of Transportation officials anticipate that utility work, which has caused some delay in construction, will continue through the remaining months this year.

The West Lake Hills City Council received an update on the construction on Bee Cave Road during a special meeting Sept. 27. The road expansion will provide a center turn lane between Walsh Tarlton Lane and Redbud Trail, as well as adding shoulders and sidewalks to both sides of the road, installing retaining walls and storm sewers and relocating utilities.

TxDOT, in coordination with utility companies, has finished the relocation of portions of the water line, gas line, sewer and underground telecommunications line. The hillside has been excavated from Old Bee Cave Road to Buckeye Trail, retaining walls have been built and sidewalks have been completed from Redbud Trail to Bluff Park Circle.

But much work remains to be done. In addition to completing the relocation of utilities, TxDOT will be raising the elevation of Bee Cave Road east of Old Bee Cave Road starting in late 2017 or early 2018. Work on individual driveways will begin, and work on the sidewalks will continue. Buckeye Trail will be lowered, though traffic access will be maintained through the construction process.

TxDOT officials say a traffic control plan will be in place to create a decreased effect on commuters. Daytime lane closures will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and overnight lane closures, when they occur, will take place from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

“It’s trying to avoid rush hour on either side,” TxDOT spokeswoman Diann Hodges said. “It’s fair to say that traffic impact will reduce as the project nears completion.”

West Lake Hills council members indicated they were pleased with the way the work was going and with the level of communication from the TxDOT project team.

“When you look at road projects around town, this one just shines by far,” said Mayor Linda Anthony.