CTRMA MoPac SouthExpansion Project

Mitigation Requests

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

CTRMA is accepting community input through May 3.

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I am writing to respectfully request that the CTRMA provide mitigation funds to address the ecological and community impacts of the MoPac South expansion on Zilker Park. This 351-acre park is a vital public resource visited by over 3 million people a year and lies within the critical recharge zone for the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer. The construction, impervious cover, noise, and disturbance threaten the aquifer, our tree canopy, and the peaceful experience of all who enjoy Zilker Park. I urge CTRMA to commit meaningful mitigation funding to protect this precious community resource. 
This includes:
—Replacing displaced trees and expanding the tree canopy for future generations.
—Adjust alignments to avoid parkland encroachment.
—Ensure continued access to all organizations and businesses within Zilker Park whose parking or sidewalk access will be impacted by the construction.
—Reimbursement fund for new sidewalks, bike paths, vehicle routing/parking areas, and access points to replace infrastructure disrupted during construction.
—Install noise barriers within Zilker Park boundaries to protect the sanctity of the Park.
—An open space fund to support ongoing conservation.

Thank you for your commitment to the public health and safety of the Austin community and to our most treasured green space.

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Protect Zilker Park!

The MoPac South Expansion project proposes to add express toll lanes and bike/ped improvements along 8 miles of MoPac South between Slaughter Lane and Downtown. This, of course, includes the section of MoPac that traverses Zilker Park which will impact the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer, the tree canopy, our water quality, and our access to Zilker.

Zilker 351 is submitting a list of mitigation requests that will balance the detrimental effects of the construction activity with critical conservation measures.

They are as follows:

Trees: Preserve all trees 19" diameter or greater. Replace removed trees at 4:1 (native species); trees 4"–19" at 3:1. All plantings must be native or regionally adapted with an 85% survival maintenance plan.

Parkland : Adjust alignments to avoid parkland encroachment. Restrict construction materials and trucks to beneath the highway near Zilker Park and the three other impacted parks. Fund full restoration where impacts are unavoidable.

Access: Ensure continued access to all organizations and businesses within Zilker Park whose parking or sidewalk access will be impacted by the construction.

Capital improvement reimbursement: Fund new sidewalks, bike paths, vehicle routing/parking areas, and access points to replace infrastructure disrupted during construction.

Noise walls: Install high-performance concrete or transparent noise walls within Zilker Park boundaries to maintain visual connectivity.

Open space fund: Provide $35M in mitigation funding to the City of Austin, restricted to the purchase of conservation easements over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge and Contributing Zone to protect water quality and assist with flood mitigation.