Several roadways getting CAMPO funding
TRANSPORTATION PLANNING
A wider FM 621 with the addition of a left-turn lane and a grade-separated overpass for FM 110 where it crosses Hwy. 123 are among county projects that recently got the go-ahead for funding by CAMPO (Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization).
Hays County Commissioners were briefed recently on the projects approved for full or partial funding for 2019-2020, many of which, as Pct. 2 Commissioner Mark Jones pointed out, are “shovel ready,” which enhances their chances of funding. Projects were approved for all four of the county’s precincts.
• In Precinct 1, FM 621 will be widened and a turn lane added from De Zavala Drive to CR 266 (Old Bastrop Highway). CAMPO funds will pay $4.080 million of the $5.144 million cost as well as $5.217 million of a $7.279 million grade-separated overpass on FM 110 at SH 123 and $30 million of a $118.38 million construction of a two-lane road from east of SH 123 to east of Interstate 35 at Yarrington Road.
• In San Marcos, CAMPO will fund $450,000 of the $700,000 needed for intersection improvements at Wonder World Drive and Hunter Road, as well as $800,000 of the $1 million needed for a San Marcos-Southwestern Hays County transportation analysis.
• In Precinct 2, FM 2001 will be upgraded to a four-lane divided road with new traffic signals and pedestrian crossings from Sunbright Boulevard to FM 2001. CAMPO will fund $5.808 million of the $8.818 million cost. RM 967 will have a center turn lane added from FM 1626 to Oak Forest Drive. CAMPO will fund $4.252 million of the $5.824 million cost.
• In Precinct 3, $6.6 million will go towards improving RM 3237 between RM 12 and RM 150, including right-and-left turn lanes or widened shoulders at some locations such as Rolling Oaks, St. Stephens School, River Mountain Road, the intersections at RM 12 and Winters Mill Parkway, as well as a new intersection at RM 3237 and RM 150 as outlined in the FM 150 Character Plan. Additional upgrades are pending preliminary engineering completion.
• In Precinct 4, improvements to Lime Kiln Road between Post and Hilliard Roads will include raising two low-water crossings to reduce the number and duration of road closures during heavy rain. CAMPO is funding $4.178 million of the $5.786 cost. The intersection of U.S. 290 and Trautwein Road will be improved, with CAMPO funding $1.049 million of the $1.508 cost.
Two projects in southwestern Travis County will also benefit Hays County commuters. CAMPO will fund $11.2 million of the $16.812 million expansion of FM 1626 to a five-lane road with a continuous turn lane from Brodie Lane to Manchaca Road, and fund $4.320 of the $49.24 million plans and estimates for major improvements to FM 1826 from U.S. 290 to the Travis County line. Improvements include a four-lane, divided arterial with bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
