Southwest Austin | Dripping Springs - September 2022

TRANSPORTATION UPDATES Texas Transportation Commission adopts $85 billion plan

ONGOING PROJECTS

STATEFUNDED INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT The $85 billion 10-year statewide road construction plan includes one intersection in Dripping Springs.

Pedestrian crossing islands

SHERINGHAM DR.

Trautwein Road at Hwy. 290 Timeline: 2023-26 Cost: $1,174,880 Funding Source: Texas Department of Transportation

SAWYER RANCH RD.

BY CHRIS GREEN

On Aug. 30, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced the adoption of an $85 billion 10-year statewide road con- struction plan known as the Unied Transportation Program. The UTP is the master docu- ment for the Texas Department of Transportation. According to Abbott’s oce, the UTP funds will coincide with an additional $32 billion over 10 years for routine maintenance and project development, including more than 7,000 projects and a total investment of $117 billion statewide. One of the key projects outlined in the plan include $4.5 billion for the I-35 Capital Express Central project to expand the highway in Austin. Locally, funding will be used to improve the Trautwein Road and Hwy. 290 intersection in Dripping Springs.

E. OLTORF ST.

290

Pedestrian crossings The Austin Transportation Department installed several pedestrian crossing islands in South Austin this summer. The new islands are at or near Wick- ersham Lane and Sheringham Drive, Cromwell Circle and Oltorf Street. The islands allow pedestrians to cross shorter stretches of road at a time, increases visibility of pedestrians and encourages drivers to slow down. Timeline: May-June Funding source : 2016 Mobility Bond Cost: estimated $41,000

WHITETAIL RIDGE

SOURCE: TEXAS TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

In addition to highway projects, the UTP outlines investments in public transportation, maritime, aviation, rail and freight. In a press release, Abbott said the UTP will help with population and economic growth in Texas. “As more people move to Texas and businesses grow across the state, we are working together to make sure Texans’ transportation safety and mobility are secured and businesses can ourish for generations to come,” Abbott said.

The projects that will be part of the UTP will be funded through legisla- tive and voter-approved initiatives that allocate portions of oil and gas taxes, sales taxes, and other money to the state highway fund. The Texas Transportation Commis- sion, the governing board for TxDOT, is required to approve a new 10-year plan each year. Texas Transportation Commission Chair J. Bruce Bugg Jr. said the UTP remains one of the top priorities of TxDOT.

ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF SEPT. 6. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT SWANEWSCOMMUNITYIMPACT.COM.

SOUTHWEST AUSTIN DRIPPING SPRINGS EDITION • SEPTEMBER 2022