From the cover
$39M extension of FM 110 opens
BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN
The impact
The details
Luján explained that the new roadway has additional intersections at Yarrington Road and additional tra c signals on SH 21 near the FM 110 bridge. “We ask drivers to pay attention to road signs as they navigate this area and the new roadway,” Luján said. Luján also said exponential growth has increased tra c in the San Marcos and Kyle communities, noting that McCarty Lane near FM 110 carries anywhere between 10,000-11,000 cars per day. “FM 110 will provide another route for com- muters to take between both communities rather than the 6-mile stretch of I-35, while also o ering access for new development in a fast-growing area,” he said.
of the road worked diligently to manage utility impacts and site conditions amid a signi cant drought. The road’s design consisted of several challenges due to the Cottonwood Creek Watershed, which required a bridge over Cottonwood Creek according to engineering rm Binkley & Bar eld’s website. “Managing the construction and interaction of the project at the SH 80, SH 21 and I-35 connections required signi cant logistics, as well as coordinating the SH 21 overpass construction with the airport,” he added. FM 110 also had to align with the short- and long-term transportation master plans with TxDOT, Hays County and San Marcos for the existing roadways that would intersect.
FM 110 is roughly 11 miles of a new $67.2 million road in Hays County. The north segment makes up 6.5 miles of the full road. Since the north segment’s completion, FM 110 now forms a loop east of I-35. The road has been open for a little over a month and gives motorists an alternate route to avoid tra c congestion throughout the I-35 corridor. The south section of the road was completed back in October of 2020. Construction for the middle section of FM 110 began later that same year in March and was completed in October 2021. “As Central Texas continues to grow in population, alternative options will help drivers spend less time on the road, getting to their destinations in less time,” Luján said. He noted that the team leading construction
A needed alternative
Use of the new FM 110 loop could help alleviate tra c congestion on I-35 as every area in the county saw population increases since 2017, with the largest increase in Hays County. Hays County Population 2017 194,843
FM 110 North - SH 80 to I-35 at Yarrington Road Cost: $39M Timeline: March 2022- December 2023
Kyle
21
2022
FM 110 Middle - FM 621 to SH 80
245,351
35
Cost: $13.4M Timeline: March 2020- October 2021
Increase of +25.92%
SAN MARCOS REGIONAL AIRPORT
One more thing
12
80
Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra said the road was essential for rst responders, public safety and economic development. “It will help move people and product more quickly and easily through our county,” Becerra said in an email to Community Impact . According to the county’s website, two additional travel lanes and additional interchanges will be constructed as tra c continues to increase in the area.
FALCON SKY PHOTOGRAPHY, LLC
San Marcos
110
FM 110 South - SH 123 to FM 621 Cost: $14.8M Timeline: July 2019- October 2020
123
621
SAN MARCOS HIGH SCHOOL
MAP NOT TO SCALE N
SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION COMMUNITY IMPACT
19
SAN MARCOS BUDA KYLE EDITION
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