This week I was able to attend the in person HWY 290 expansion meeting at Ranch Park in Dripping Springs, Texas.
Check out this detailed informational video below to learn more about the expansion project!
It was interesting to see how many locals showed up in full force wanting their questions and concerns addressed about the wildlife, the destruction of the Texas hill country, and displacing 82 businesses, 13 homes and a church in Hays county.
This was just a preliminary meeting to hear comments from the community and boy did they have a lot of them!
Situated between the city of Austin and Dripping Springs, the US 290 corridor stands as a crucial artery, supporting the flow of commercial activity and residential life from Austin to the Texas Hill Country. Yet, as the region thrives and continues to have exponential growth, the stretch of road that has long supported it now faces the pressing challenges of safety, mobility, and connectivity.
The new project will definitely reshape Dripping Springs once complete. With traffic volumes predicted to double by 2045, the call for an upgraded, more capable roadway is loud and clear, but the already frustrated locals are feeling the burden of the new plan as many of the HWY 290 frontage properties will be encroached upon to build this huge 6 lane highway. Extending from RM 1826 in southwest Austin to RM 12 in Dripping Springs, the project is set to deliver a divided highway, complete with main lanes and frontage roads, ensuring safer and more efficient access to surrounding areas.
Linking with the Oak Hill Parkway construction in progress, the project introduces a roadway equipped with three main lanes in each direction, intersection bridges, two frontage road lanes on each side, and shared-use paths. This design is poised to revolutionize mobility by eliminating traffic signals along the main lanes, enabling a fluid, uninterrupted journey towards the hill country.
The initiative stems from a critical need to enhance road safety and traffic flow. The corridor has witnessed 1,501 crashes from 2019 to 2022, with a significant 4.8% classified as severe. These aren’t just numbers; they represent disrupted lives and highlight the corridor’s pressing need for a safer travel environment. The project’s focus on reducing frequent stop lights and other interruptions is a direct response to these concerns, aiming for a roadway that’s not just safer but also more efficient.
Progress often comes with its set of challenges. The project, while promising a brighter, more efficient future, also involves tough decisions, including the displacement of 13 residences, 82 businesses, and a church. This phase of the project is a stark reminder of the delicate dance between advancing infrastructure and honoring the essence of existing communities. This summer TXDot plans to have a public hearing after several rounds of open houses where they accept comments and concerns from the locals.
I’ve overheard that the project could begin as soon as 3 years, but as far away as 10.
Are you a forward thinking investor interested in purchasing some land right off of HWY 290 for potential development? If so, I want to share my latest listing with you!
411 Whitetail Ridge Road in Dripping Springs with a prime location near the Trautwein intersection between Dripping Springs and Belterra Village.
This property close to Dripping Springs offers both a private residence (operating as a short term rental) and commercial potential. The 2,378 square-foot home features four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a great room with vaulted ceilings, a beautiful kitchen, and a separate upstairs apartment with kitchenette and bathroom. The 15+ acre lot includes a wet weather creek, wildlife, and wildflowers. Amenities include a pool, outdoor dining, a carport, and significant home improvements like a new metal roof, AC/furnace, and upgraded plumbing.
Commercially, the property has 1400 ft frontage on Whitetail Ridge and Highway 290, no deed or zoning restrictions, and is ideal for development. Previous plans for an event venue are available. Located strategically between downtown Dripping Springs and Belterra Village, it’s a unique investment opportunity. No HOA, no zoning, low 1.51% tax rate.
Check out the website HERE for more photos, documents and info! Call me to schedule a private tour! 512-569-8480
Have questions about this small town turned boomtown? I’m a local Dripping Springs Real Estate Agent and can answer your questions about it or help you buy or sell homes or land here. Give me a call! 512-569-8480 or email at laurenclark@magnoliarealty.com to get started!
Check out my Dripping Springs Guide HERE.
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