PROTECT ZILKER PARK:

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD BEFORE MAY 3RD!

CTRMA is accepting community input through May 3.

Step 1 — Copy this comment or personalize it.

I am writing to respectfully request that the CTRMA provide mitigation activities and/or 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 it 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 to meaningful mitigation efforts to protect this precious community resource. 
This includes:
—Fund and construct an elevated bridge over Barton Springs Road East of MoPac to provide a safe crossing at a dangerous intersection.
—Replace displaced trees and expand the tree canopy for future generations.
—Implement advanced light shielding and full-cutoff fixtures to reduce light trespass within Zilker Park.
—Adjust alignments, construction methods and parking areas to minimize parkland encroachment. Fund full mitigation measures when impacts are unavoidable.
—Ensure continued access to all organizations and businesses within Zilker Park whose parking or sidewalk access will be impacted by the construction.
—Provide a 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.
—Create 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 the sanctity of our most treasured green space.

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The CTRMA MoPac South Expansion Project:

The MoPac South Expansion project presented by the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) proposes to add express toll lanes and bike/ped improvements along 8 miles of MoPac South between Enfield and Slaughter Lane. This includes the section of MoPac that traverses Zilker Park, which will impact the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer, the tree canopy, water quality, wildlife habitat, and our access to Zilker.

In order to ensure that all impacts to the Park are addressed as fully as possible, Zilker 351 has chosen to engage directly in the mitigation process — working to secure solid, enforceable commitments from CTRMA to protect the park's environment, trees, water quality, and public access. To be clear, engaging in the mitigation request process is not the same as expressing support for the project. It is simply the most effective path toward achieving the strongest possible outcomes for Zilker. We are committed to working with CTRMA to ensure these mitigations are reflected in the final project design — and that they are implemented with the care and intention that Zilker Park deserves.

Zilker 351 submitted the following list of mitigation requests that will help balance any detrimental effects of the construction activity with critical conservation measures.

We are asking our community to add their voices to ours. Your public comment to CTRMA takes less than two minutes and becomes part of the official project record.

Our mitigation requests are as follows:

Traffic Safety & Active Transportation: Fund and construct an elevated footbridge over Barton Springs Road on the East side of MoPac providing a safe crossing at a dangerous intersection.

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.

Dark Skies Compliant Design: Implement advanced light shielding and full-cutoff fixtures to reduce light trespass within Zilker Park.

Parkland Protection : Adjust alignments and construction methods to avoid or minimize parkland encroachment. Restrict construction materials and trucks to beneath the highway near Zilker Park and the three other impacted parks, preferably parking and storing only after business hours. Fund full restoration and mitigation measures 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 and reduce noise pollution.

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.