FM 1626 Completed – TxDOT To Reimburse Hays Co $133 Million

“These projects have come in on time and under budget. The pass-through program was a great benefit to our county as a whole.” 

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Transportation joined officials from Hays County, the cities of Buda and Kyle, and transportation partners as they celebrated the completion of the FM 1626 North project with a ribbon cutting and celebrated the start of construction on the FM 1626 South project with a groundbreaking on Wednesday, November 16.

“I’m excited to celebrate the progress we’ve made on improving FM 1626,” Terry McCoy, Austin District Engineer said. “We could not move these important projects forward without the leadership and partnership of Hays County and the cities, as well as the support from area citizens. At the end of the day, these projects help us to meet our goals of addressing traffic congestion and improving safety.”

Improvements to both the FM 1626 North project from Brodie Lane to RM 967 and FM 1626 South project from RM 967 to FM 2770 includes widening the roadway to a five-lane highway with a continuous center-turn lane and shoulders, in an effort to enhance safety and mobility along the heavily traveled road.

Both projects were funded as an element of the Pass-Through Financing Program that was approved by area voters in 2008 to accelerate nine transportation projects in Hays County.

Through this partnership, TxDOT will reimburse the county approximately $133 million in construction costs.

“Our citizens recognize the efficient way the projects have been managed by the teams we’ve put together,” Hays County Precinct 2 Commissioner Mark Jones said. “These projects have come in on time and under budget. The pass-through program was a great benefit to our county as a whole.”

The crowd was also treated to a performance of “God Bless America” by the Elm Grove Elementary America Singers. The 800-plus students at the school are among those who will benefit from the FM 1626 roadway improvements.