HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – The Hays County Commissioners Court pushed a $450 million transportation bond program plan forward on Tuesday. It will go in front of voters in November.
The program would allow the municipality to take on around 30 road projects, fairly evenly dispersed across the county. Before the court approved the measure on Tuesday, many during the public comment period protested plans outlined in the bond package for Fitzhugh Road.
“I’m concerned, very concerned, and strongly oppose,” one person in public comment said. “[This] would have massive impacts to that neighborhood, that community, and to the environment – particularly to water quality.”
The original language called to design a four-lane divided roadway on Fitzhugh Road with shoulders from Travis County to RM 12. Currently, Fitzhugh Road only has one lane in both directions.
“What they [presented] is overkill,” said Carrie Napiorkowski, who lives along the road and spoke at Tuesday’s commissioner court meeting.
Napiorkowski said there is a need for road changes that prioritize safety. But she said the addition of two more lanes goes too far.
“They’re trying to put forth a four-lane divided highway with shoulders on each side which would encroach upon private property,” she continued. “They would have to be taking out dangerous curves and bends.”
After more than a dozen people voiced concerns about the road in person or through written comment, the commissioner’s court decided to revise the description for the Fitzhugh Project – to focus more on improving safety along the road, rather than moving cars through.
“I think that our commissioners and our judge made the right decision in listening to us. So it feels good to know that we have been listened to,” Napiorkowski said.