By Andy Sevilla

The planned future southwest stretch of SH 45, connecting northern Hays County to southwest Austin, is touted by supporters as a major mobility accomplishment in addressing traffic woes in a fast growing region.

But it’s been a tough — and long — battle. 

“It’s been in the works for 26 years now,” Hays County Precinct 2 Commissioner Mark Jones said in a phone interview. “I’ve been involved with it since I became commissioner; and when (Travis County Pct. 3) Commissioner (Gerald) Daugherty was elected, we saw we had a small window to get this thing done.” 

Jones said getting funding approval, which included some political maneuvering, was needed quickly.

But could that window close after the November elections?

“It does not matter what happens after January 1 in Travis County,” Jones told a packed room of Kyle business leaders May 27 during his portion of the State of the County Address. “Their money will already be hard and on the project.”

Travis County approved funding for the SH45 southwest project with a 4-1 vote in March. Pct. 1 Commissioner Ron Davis was the lone dissenter. 

New faces 

Come Jan. 1, Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe and Pct. 2 Commissioner Bruce Todd won’t be on the dais. Biscoe announced his retirement. Todd isn’t running for a full term to his appointed seat.

Sarah Eckhardt, the former Pct. 2 Travis County Commissioner who stepped down to run for judge, and is Biscoe’s likely successor according to Austin political gurus, voiced opposition to SH45 SW. Her opponent, Mike McNamara, told the Hays Free Press in a phone interview he is “definitely in favor” of the project. 

Brigid Shea, considered the favorite to replace Todd, is an ardent environmentalist who is against SH45 southwest.

Jones, however, isn’t troubled with future Travis County Commissioners Court majority that could look unfavorably on the toll road.

Travis County on June 30 will give $2.5 million for the project to be held in a trust account. Hays County will provide $500,000 for its part of the funding. On October 30, Travis County will remit the remaining promissory support of $12.5 million. 

Days before the November election, Travis County will have paid its portion in full. 

Environmental concerns

Much of the opposition to the road comes out of concern for its location, a 3.6-mile stretch of roadway over sensitive areas of the Edwards Aquifer — the groundwater source for much of Hays and Travis counties.

But Jones said part of the planning process involved discussions with professionals regarding environmental concerns. He said technology is available to build an environmentally sound road, safer than Brodie Lane — the road many commuters use to get on to Mopac.

“All (Hays County) Commissioners have been supportive of the road for a long time,” Jones said in the interview. “They know the need for mobility in Hays County.”

“We can’t keep going up Brodie (Lane) to get to Austin,” Jones said, “and I-35 is not a viable solution.” 

About 70 percent of Kyle and Buda residents commute to Austin for work, according to officials in both cities, some of whom bypass I-35 and instead commute through FM 1626, onto Brodie Lane in south Austin.

During peak hours, I-35 is heavily congested, and what should take about 25 minutes from Austin to Kyle, can take upwards of an hour on the interstate.

Other alternatives?

Austin, San Marcos and Kyle signed on to implement a funding mechanism for a 118-mile commuter rail line that would connect Georgetown to San Antonio. 

Officials in those cities tout the project as a viable alternative to I-35. 

Funding in Austin and Kyle presently remains at 0 percent, while San Marcos has agreed to pony up one percent of its sales and property tax growth within a half-mile from the proposed trains stations.

The Lone Star Rail District is seeking 50 percent of tax growth. 

Jones said he campaigned in 2010 on the promise to alleviate traffic woes by improving FM 1626 and getting SH45 southwest moving.

“They both are long overdue,” he said Thursday. 

In early June, a draft environmental impact study will be ready for public review.

A final environmental impact study should be available for public review in December, and letting and construction dates for the project should be firmed up in January, Jones said. 

Hays County will remit its remaining $4.5 million balance for the project before the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) awards a construction bid.