Project Name: MoPac Improvement Project

Project Location: Austin, Texas

Project Type: Geologic Assessment for a Water Pollution Abatement Plan (WPAP), karst discovery response during construction, coordination of presence/absence surveys for endangered karst invertebrates, karst feature closure/protection plans

Owner: Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority

Hicks & Company conducted a geologic assessment on the MoPac Improvement Project for the portion of the project located over the regulated Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone (EARZ). The geologic assessment was conducted on the existing MoPac (Loop 1) right of way between US 183 and Parmer Lane in north Austin for inclusion in the project’s site-specific Water Pollution Abatement Plan for construction activities over the EARZ. Hicks & Company was also responsible for evaluation of previously unknown karst features and caves discovered during construction, coordination of presence and absence surveys for threatened and endangered species, and preparation of protection and/or karst feature closure plans. For this project, Hicks & Company investigated 15 previously unknown karst features identified during construction, coordinated three presence and absence surveys for threatened and endangered species, and prepared a TCEQ closure plan for the project.