Transportation
Transportation
BY JOEL VALLEY
BY JOEL VALLEY
Hwy. 290 extension aims to reduce traffic congestion in Bastrop County
Upcoming projects
Zooming in
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1 Hwy. 71 and Tucker Hill Lane Intersection Improvement
CTRMA officials identified several potential solutions, including: • Adding lanes alongside existing lanes • Enhancing cross street intersections • Including pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure Officials emphasized the lane improvements would be tolled. “This approach aims to provide drivers with choices and improve safety and mobility,” officials said. The first draft of the schematic design for the Hwy. 290 Extension Project—which will be developed after feedback from area residents is analyzed—is expected to be completed and made available to the public for feedback in mid-2026. No other timeline was available as of press time, according to CTRMA officials.
Project: The Texas Department of Transportation will create a signalized intersection at Tucker Hill Lane into a grade-separated overpass and construct new one-way frontage roads. The project also includes expanded accommodations for bicycles and pedestrians. Update: Jordan Foster Construction will complete the project. • Timeline: Construction scheduled to begin in November • Cost: $58.5 million • Funding sources: Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, TxDOT 2 Blakey Lane Extension Project: Blakey Lane in Bastrop will be extended from Edward Burleson Lane to a proposed street called Reed Way, which will connect to Old Austin Highway. Update: Austin-based The Goodman Corp. is creating potential designs for an intersection at Old Austin Highway, which will include options for a roundabout. • Timeline: planning phase expected to be complete Dec. 26 • Cost: $7 million-$8 million • Funding sources: transportation impact fees, roadway maintenance fees, and water and wastewater fees
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The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority is planning for a Hwy. 290 Extension Project— improvements that would reduce congestion between SH 130 and Hwy. 95 South. CTRMA is working with the Texas Department of Transportation on a schematic design and an environmental study with other partners, including: • Bastrop County • Travis County • City of Manor • City of Elgin • Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization The approximately 15-mile stretch of Hwy. 290 under evaluation is among the top-100 most congested road segments in
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Texas, according to TxDOT. “Current congestion levels along [Hwy. 290], just east of Austin, can add up to 17 minutes to an average trip for commuters,” CTRMA officials said in a statement. “As the population in the fast-growing Austin metro area continues to increase, those delays will only get worse.”
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Update: The city plans to announce a date soon for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. • Timeline: construction expected to finish Dec. 15 • Cost: $5.27 million • Funding source: Texas General Land Office Community Development Block Grant Mitigation funds awarded to the city in May 2021
Ongoing projects
3 Agnes Street Extension Project: Agnes Street in Bastrop is being extended to connect developments south of Hwy. 71.
BASTROP 739 State Hwy 71 (512) 308-0250
ELGIN 1100 US-290 (512) 285-2741
GIDDINGS 1920 E Austin St (979) 212-4031
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