SAN MARCOS — Cory Grell of HNTB presented a possible 2024 transportation plan to the Hays County Commissioners Court at its July 2 meeting. The projects focused on safety, mobility, regional connectivity, right-of-way (ROW) preservation and new alignment. All of the projects aim to lessen traffic and accidents, bring safer travel, faster commutes and increased connectivity in each district of the county. Below are some of the more than 15 projects that will be occurring throughout the county:
Cotton Gin Road/ CR 219 • 1.14 miles • Bonanza Street to SH 21 • Reconstructing one lane in each direction, as well as shoulders • $18,032,000 for construction, utilities and construction engineering and inspection (CEI)
High Road/ CR 127 • East of Goforth Road to SH 21 • Five lanes with two left turn lanes • $13,071,000 for utilities, ROW and design
Button Lane/ Heidenreich Lane/ Gristmill Road • Violet Lane to SH 21 at Gristmill Road • 4.19 miles • Reconstruction of the existing two lanes and shoulders • $39,089,000 for construction, utilities, design and CEI
Goforth Road • Bunton Lane to Bebee Road/ High Road • 1.05 miles • A new five lane roadway and one roundabout at Cotton Gin Road • $25,462,000 for construction, utilities, ROW, design and CEI
Dripping Springs Southwest Connection • US 290 to Precinct 3 boundary • 4.79 miles • New roadway alignment with four lanes • $10,429,000 for design
Darden Hill Road/ CR 162 phase two interim • East of Sawyer Ranch Road to FM 1826 • 1.72 miles • Reconstruction to two lane roadway for an eventual four lane construction • $41,105,000 for construction, utilities, ROW, design and CEI
Old San Antonio Road • Main Street to Travis County line • 0.9 miles • $525,000 for a roadway study to determine the best design for the area According to Grell, the locations and projects planned were identified through the Hays Transportation Plan, municipalities and their transportation plans, railroad transportation plans and projects sponsored by commissioners. “We mainly focused on projects that are already in the planning process to help keep continuity,” said Grell. “Moves in this direction, strides like these need to take place. Otherwise, we will become the worst [county] in the Central Texas region for transportation,” said Judge Ruben Becerra. Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe noted that many of the projects are to provide connections between the east and west side, which are integral to the community. According to commissioner Walt Smith, there were three goals when beginning to work on this transportation plan process: to identify historic safety concerns, such as crash data, how to make use of the roadways that the county already has and to identify areas that are lacking service. The bond proposed is for $450 million to fund the project. HNBT Project Director Mike Trimble stated that the next steps for the projects would be to continue to work with the county to bring the final project list and a draft ordinance back for consideration and review on Aug. 6, with final action potentially occurring on Aug. 13. According to the project director, this would be on the last day before the deadline to call a bond for the November election. “I don’t want anyone to feel flat-footed or sideswiped. It is our intent to bring this to the November ballot,” concluded Becerra. The Hays County Commissioners Court will next meet on July 16.
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