HAYS COUNTY, Texas — Hays County voters will see funding for road improvements on their November ballot this year.
The county commissioners put a $440 million road bond on the ballot. The money would go towards a list of projects already being worked on, as well as future improvements.
It would add a total of 2 cents per every $100 of property valuation to the current county tax rate, which is recommended at 35 cents per $100.
“Our residents utilize roads daily and they continue to be one of the top issues of concern,” Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe said. “It is also important to have an open process to allow our residents to determine if this is a need they are willing to fund. I believe it is important to be conscientious about this bond's financial impact on our families.”
The projects will address “substandard” roads to improve safety and increase capacity, the county said. With the population of Hays County expected to grow 267% by 2045, the aim is to increase commuter safety, ease congestion and create better regional connectivity.
Hays County said 2016 road bond projects that have been developed will now be built with this 2024 program. More project development will also be part of the 2024 program to set up projects to be “shovel-ready” for future state and federal funding opportunities.
The county will hold open houses on the measure ahead of Election Day.
Precinct 1 projects totaling an estimated $118.5 million include:
- Old Bastrop Highway/CR 266 (Centerpoint Road to Rattler Road)
- Cotton Gin Road/CR 129 (Bonanza Street to SH 21)
- FM 2001 East Interim (Graef Road to Southeast of SH 21)
- William Pettus Road/CR 238 (FM 110 to SH 21)
- High Road/CR 127 (East of Goforth Road to SH 21)
- Leah Avenue (CR 269 to Cottonwood Parkway)
- Dairy Road (Bunton Lane to Cotton Gin Road CR 129)
- Goforth Road (Bunton Lane to Bebee Road/High Road)
- Bunton Lane/CR 153/Heidenreich Lane/Grist Mill Road (Violet Lane to SH 21)
- RM 150 East (Precinct 1 Boundary to SH 21)
- Precinct 1 Discretionary Projects Preliminary Design
Precinct 2 projects totaling an estimated $104 million include:
- Windy Hill Road Interim (Purple Martin Avenue to FM 2001)
- Windy Hill Road Roundabout (Windy Hill at Shadow Creek Boulevard)
- Windy Hill Road Ultimate (Purple Martine Avenue to FM 2001)
- FM 2001 Gap (FM 2001 West to Existing FM 2001)
- Hillside Terrace (I-35 to FM 2001)
- Goforth Road (CR 158 to RM 150)
- RM 150 East Preliminary Design (Lehman Road to Precinct 2 Boundary)
- Precinct 2 Discretionary Projects Preliminary Design
Precinct 3 projects totaling an estimated $109 million include:
- Centerpoint Road (I-35 to FM 2349/Hunter Road)
- Old Kyle Road (RM 12 to RM 3237)
- Yarrington Road (West of Arroyo Ranch to Old Stagecoach Road at RC 16)
- Yarrington Road (I-35 to Old Stagecoach Road)
- Dripping Springs Southwest Connection (U.S. 290 to Precinct 3 Boundary)
- Precinct 3 Discretionary Projects Preliminary Design
Precinct 4 projects totaling an estimated $107.7 million include:
- Darden Hill Road/CR 162 (East of Sawyer Ranch Road to RM 1826)
- Darden Hill Road Extension (RM 150 West of Springwood Road to West of Sawyer Ranch Road)
- RM 150 and RM 12 Intersection Improvements (RM 150 at RM 12)
- Fitzhugh Road/CR 101 (RM 12 to Travis County Line)
- Dripping Springs Southwest Connection (Precinct 4 Boundary to RM 12)
- Sawyer Ranch Road Pedestrian Walkway (Meadow Creek Drive to Darden Hill Road)
- Sawyer Ranch Road (U.S. 290 to Darden Hill Road)
- SH 45 Southwest Extension (FM 1626 to I-35)
- Old San Antonio Road Study (Main Street to Travis County Line)
- Precinct 4 Discretionary Projects Preliminary Design