Buda Takes First Step Toward New Shared-Use Path Along FM 2001

Staff Reports

The City of Buda is looking to construct a multiuse path along FM 2001 that will run from Tom Green Elementary School to areas west of I-35.

On Jan. 5, the Buda City Council discussed a 10-foot-wide 0.5-mile paved path that will run from White Wing Trail to Old Goforth Road.

The council authorized Buda’s city manager to execute a professional services agreement with Lockwood Andrews and Newman (LAN), a construction engineering firm, for the design of the path.

The PSA is the first in a multiple-step process including preparation of environmental documents and coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation for advance funding for the project.

Buda City Engineer John Nett said the path is a cost-sharing project with an estimated price tag of $500,000 that has been allocated through the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization; the City of Buda is obligated to pay $100,000 toward the project as well.

The PSA with LAN was approved for a total of approximately $170,000 and includes project management and implementation, design and sub-consultant services as line items.

LAN representative Steve Widacki told the council the path will provide bicycle and pedestrian connectivity as well as safe access to commercial areas of Buda for its more underserved populations.

According to Widacki, the city is still in the process of obtaining easements and rights of way to create the path; the project is expected to take up to 32 months with its design phase complete by Sept. 30.