Published: September 03, 2008 02:00 pm      

Ready, set, go

Wonder World Drive extension will link interstate to RR 12

San Marcos — The city of San Marcos broke ground on the largest transportation project in its history on Tuesday – and it’s been a long time coming.

More than 20 years ago, a blue ribbon bond committee recommended the city put a high priority on a connection between Hunter Road and Ranch Road 12, which became the Wonder World Drive Extension Project.

The $26.2 million Wonder World Drive extension will connect Ranch Road 12 to IH-35 by extending Wonder World Drive from Hunter Road to Ranch Road 12.

The road is designed to improve traffic flow to and from western Hays County and relieve the downtown area and many residential neighborhoods of heavy truck and through traffic, city officials said.

“The Wonder World Drive extension will provide a vital transportation artery linking Ranch Road 12 to IH-35,” Mayor Susan Narvaiz said. "This project brings to fruition 20 years of dedicated efforts by our citizens, city council, staff and the Texas Department of Transportation."

The city council awarded the $26.2 million construction contract to Rodman LLC, on Aug. 19.

The city has spent $16 million for engineering ($5.7 million), land acquisition ($4.6 million), environmental assessments ($610,819), archaeological studies ($463,969) and mitigation ($4.6 million) since 1999.

The Wonder World Extension will be a 3.2 mile, four-lane, limited access, divided parkway. Construction will take approximately two years to complete, officials said.

The project is financed by the city through a pass-through financing agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation.

Winstead Consulting group assisted the city in attaining $10 million in federal highway appropriations to help fund the project in 2005.

After the parkway is completed, TxDOT will pay from $3 to $6 million in annual reimbursements to the city for a 10-20 year period based on traffic volumes, officials said.

In 2005, Congress appropriated $10 million for the Wonder World Extension project which has funded acquisition of right-of-way, environmental studies and permitting, engineering and design.

The parkway was designed by Kellogg, Brown and Root. Assistant City Manager Laurie Anderson and Interim Engineering Director Sabas Avila and their staffs are coordinating the project.

The design and planning required extensive environmental permits and archaeological studies which are now complete.

Dignitaries speaking at the event included Narvaiz, City Manager Rick Menchaca, Amadeo Saenz, executive director of the Texas Department of Transportation, Robert Daigh, district engineer; Sue Cohen of the Heritage Neighborhood Association and Rod Vilhauer, president of Rodman, LLC.