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On Nov. 5, North Hays County residents will be asked to approve a transportation bond issuance totaling nearly $440 million. In Precinct 4, which includes the Dripping Springs, Driftwood, and Buda communities, nearly a quarter of the total—$107.7 million— will fund local projects.
Hays County Precinct 4 Commissioner Walt Smith, along with the rest of the Commissioners Court, voted to send the bond package to voters.
'Transportation, mobility, and the ability of our residents to traverse the county safely is one of the highest priorities of the county,' Smith said. 'Given the massive growth in Hays County, and specifically in the Buda and Dripping Springs areas, the county must constantly identify needed improvements and changes, and the projects proposed in this bond have been well identified to provide for the safe movement of our residents throughout the county.'
Here are some of the key projects included in the bond package: Darden Hill Road/ CR 162 (East of Sawyer Ranch Road to RM 1826): This project involves constructing a four-lane divided roadway on Darden Hill Road, from RM 1826 to the roundabout at Sawyer Ranch Road. The design was funded in 2016, and this bond will cover the construction. The estimated cost is $51.793 million.
Darden Hill Road Extension (RM 150 West of Springwood Road to West of Sawyer Ranch Road): This project includes the design of a 4.8-mile, fourlane roadway, providing easier access from RM 150 to the Sawyer Ranch Road roundabout and Springwood Road. The estimated cost is $8.034 million.
RM 150 and RM 12 Intersection Improvements (RM 150 at RM 12): This project will construct a roundabout at the intersection of RM 150 and RM 12, south of the existing T-intersection. The construction is based on a design funded by the 2016 road bond. The estimated cost is $8.424 million.
Fitzhugh Road/CR 101 (RM 12 to Travis County Line): This project includes the design and construction of interim safety improvements and a corridor study for Fitzhugh Road from RM 12 to the Travis County line. Travis County may partner on this project. The estimated cost is $5 million.
Dripping Springs Southwest Connection (Precinct 4 Boundary to RM 12): This regional connectivity project involves the design and construction of a 2.4-mile, fourlane divided roadway. The estimated cost is $5.742 million.
Sawyer Ranch Road Pedestrian Walkway (Meadow Creek Drive to Darden Hill Road): This project will construct an ADA-compliant 10-foot shared path to allow Dripping Springs ISD students to safely travel to and from school. The project spans 1.3 miles and has an estimated cost of $3.432 million.
Sawyer Ranch Road (U.S. 290 to Darden Hill Road): This project involves the design and right-of-way acquisition for a fourlane divided roadway, improving access from Darden Hill Road to U.S. 290. The estimated cost is $13.9 million.
SH 45 Southwest Extension (FM 1626 to I-35): Part of a regional mobility plan, this project aims to extend SH 45 from FM 1626 in Buda to I-35. The estimated cost is $7.095 million for the Hays County portion of the project, which includes designing a new 1.9-mile, fourlane highway.
Old San Antonio Road Study (Main Street to Travis County Line): This project involves a road study of Old San Antonio Road from Main Street in Buda to the Travis County line. The estimated cost is $525,000.
The county plans to host informational open houses throughout the county to inform residents about the 2024 Road Bond before Election Day. Details of these events will be announced soon.
The 2024 Road Bond will be decided by voters in the Nov. 5 election.
