by VERONICA GORDON
The Hays County Commissioners Court and the county’s “Project Team” held open houses last week on the county’s transportation plan.
Pct. 2 Commissioner Mark Jones said the plan is needed through 2035.
“The meetings were real well-attended and the feedback we’ve gotten has all been positive,” Jones said. “People know we have a growing area and they’re glad we’re being proactive and not just waiting for things to happen. We’re trying to get out in front of the growth.”
Jones said some of the roads included in the master plan might not be built, so there is some flexibility.
“We have some roads on here that if the growth doesn’t happen they won’t get built. If that area doesn’t develop then it won’t be built, but if it does, we want to have it in the plan so we can get it platted,” he said. “We only get one shot at it. So at least we have a plan if someone comes in to develop.”
Jones also said road planning is a quality of life issue as well as a safety issue.
“Congestion just adds to accidents,” he added.
Joe Cantalupo, Parsons Brinckerhoff transportation planner and project manager, said the roads are important to the residents.
“I think it acknowledges the fact that the county’s population is going to double as anticipated and the county has a way to address it,” Cantalupo said. “We’re also looking at (road) connections that absolutely have to be made. We didn’t draw lines just for the sake of drawing lines.”
“We tried to be sensitive to the character of the county and its communities,” he said. “And we tried to be ultra-sensitive to the fact that roads are getting crowded and they need more capacity. So I think this (plan) represents a very good balance.”
County residents were given the opportunity to view the draft transportation plan and give feedback at the meetings.
The draft plan is also available for viewing until Nov. 30 at www.co. hays.tx.us/ transportationplan.
Meetings were held in Dripping Springs, San Marcos, Kyle and Wimberley.