Festival traffic prompts more weekend patrols
There’s bad news and good news for San Marcos area motorists this weekend.
The bad news is higher-than-normal traffic counts expected in association with Float Fest being held Saturday and Sunday at Cool River Ranch, located in Guadalupe County across the San Marcos River from Martindale.
Festival organizers are urging attendees to enter the venue from FM 621 and Scull Road. On Thursday, the York Creek VFD issued a public service announcement warning of the extra traffic on each of those two roadways.
“Expectations are for 25,000 + people,” the warning reads. “This is going to put a lot of traffic on our area roads … please be aware of this and make alternative traffic plans.”
Other area agencies are also preparing for the extra traffic. “We have put a plan in place to increase staffing on our patrol shifts on Saturday,” San Marcos Chief of Police Chase Stapp said. “The last time they held this event, we noticed heavier traffic and foot traffic in our restaurants, but we did not experience anything of concern. Nonetheless, we wanted to staff up slightly just in case something impacts us.”
“The county will have a major presence along the river on Saturday and Sunday, Caldwell County Emergency Management Coordinator Martin Ritchey said. “The Caldwell County Office of Emergency Management will have a command post to support water rescue personnel, firefighters and search teams. We anticipate fielding some 70 highly trained volunteers including TEXSAR, Maxwell VFD and Martindale VFD.”
The good news is the timely rollout of the Highway Emergency Response Operator, or HERO, patrol service program, a Texas Transportation Commission initiative to provide free roadside services along Interstate 35 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends and between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. weekdays.
Services the HERO program provides includes changing flat tires, airing up low tires, providing gasoline and water, doing minor vehicle repairs, jump-starting batteries and providing cell phone service as well as functions related to minor crashes.
Stranded motorists should call 512-974-HERO to summon help.
