Published: October 31, 2009 04:34 pm      

County bridge hearing Nov. 12

Dripping Springs — Hays County Precinct 4 Commissioner Karen Ford invites interested citizens to a public meeting on planned improvements to the low water crossing at McGregor Lane and Martin Road.

The meeting will be Thursday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Precinct 4 office on Roger Hanks Parkway.

“This is one of Hays County's most dangerous road segments with the curve, the hill, the T-intersection and the deteriorating crossing over Barton Creek,” Ford said. “We have a plan to add a two-lane bridge and smooth the road curve, which will solve many chronic safety problems at this key intersection.”

DSISD buses pass over this low water crossing more than 14 times a day.

Currently, a two-year storm event can cause the crossing to be topped by Barton Creek and closed to traffic, as it was on Monday, Oct. 26.

The county has worked with Halff and Associates to study, survey and engineer the new design that will handle up to a 50-year flood event. The improvement plan for this segment of McGregor Lane began in 2006 with a cultural and environmental study of the creek and surrounding area.

Construction is set to begin in April 2010 with completion in September 2010. The roadway improvement has an estimated price tag of $1.2 million.

For those who cannot make the official public meeting on Nov. 12, Commissioner Ford will hold open office hours on Friday, Nov. 13 from 3 to 5 p.m. to share plans and discuss the McGregor bridge project with interested citizens.