'Y' no solution to east-west Austin traffic?

Anyone who has ever driven east-to-west in Austin knows that there is something structurally wrong with transportation planning in the Capital City. And it's been that way for more than half a century.

That's why we have nothing but sympathy for the residents of Oak Hill. Once a sleepy small town to Austin's west with prolific arbors and rocky vistas, the area is now suburbia with one of the worst traffic snarls of the region due in part to Austin's horrendous planning for the future: "the Y."

However, even the overdue solution for that is facing resistance.

We're impressed with the non-toll alternatives to congestion presented on the Save Oak Hill website. But we're miffed at this continual insistence that a projected, dwindling percentage of drivers will outpace the number of drivers moving in to the Austin metro area.

The future Y?

We're long past time for relief to our east-west traffic nightmares. If a few of Austin's plenteous oak groves must give way, then that is our just deserts for not serving motorists earlier. But hopefully TxDOT engineers can save as many of the older resident trees as possible.

We're not suggesting that a particular plan be adopted, but that something be done soon. The time for obstructionism has past. That said, we don't expect progress to come easy.

According to the Oak Hill Gazette:

Save Oak Hill, a grassroots group formed out of concern for the rapid loss of treasured Oak Hill landmarks, has scheduled a rally this Saturday, November 21, to call attention to the endangered oaks. The surveyed trees, protected by City ordinance, include: 

-114 trees in the simple “protected” category of 19 to 24 inches in diameter
-137 trees of the “heritage” category of 24 to 36 inches
-37 of the “legacy” category of 36 inches or more 

Organizers encourage the public to join the rally on Saturday, Nov. 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the northeast corner of William Cannon and U.S. Hwy 290 West. ...