Major Capital Area Transportation Projects Approved, Including I35 In Hays County Corridor

Seven projects worth nearly $182 million will improve road conditions in Travis, Hays, Williamson, Llano, Burnet, Caldwell and Lee counties. 

AUSTIN – The push to make Austin-area highways safer and more efficient for drivers continues, following recent road contract awards by the Texas Transportation Commission.  

Seven projects worth nearly $182 million will improve road conditions in Travis, Hays, Williamson, Llano, Burnet, Caldwell and Lee counties. The largest project is on I-35 between Rundberg Lane and US 290. J.D. Abrams won a $124 million contract to add two flyover ramps at US 183 and improve the existing ones. In addition, the project will reconstruct the mainlanes, frontage roads and ramps, make shoulder and ramp improvements and improve bicycle and pedestrian paths. Work should begin early next year, and is expected to take about three-and-a-half years to complete. 

On Loop 1, a project in south Austin will eliminate the last two traffic signals for mainlane traffic at Slaughter Lane and at La Crosse Avenue. Webber LLC was awarded the $53.5 million contract that will feature extending Loop 1 mainlanes through both intersections by going under them.

US 290 in Lee County will be getting a cable median barrier between James Thurman Road and the Fayette County Line.  A cable median barrier will also be installed on SH 71 from the Travis/Bastrop County line to SH 21 West. Dan Williams Company was awarded the $1.3 million contract. The company was also awarded a $356,000 contract to improve signage and traffic channelization at FM 2304/Manchaca Road at Slaughter Lane.

I-35 in Hays County is getting a facelift, with a new driving surface for the mainlanes between Yarrington Road and RM 150 in Kyle. The $1 million project was awarded to Austin Materials and includes use of a quieter asphalt formula that helps drain storm water off the road, resulting in less spray and greater traction.

Also in Hays County, TxDOT will help make Fitzhugh Road safer, adding warning signs and delineators between the Blanco County line and US 290 in Travis County. Flasher Equipment Company won the $150,000 contract.

Safety improvements on highways can be as simple as adding flashing beacon, enhancing lighting and updating traffic signals. Flashing beacons are often a first step in alerting drivers to a busy intersection or an unexpected traffic hazard. Ten intersections in six counties will receive beacons.

New signal equipment is planned for I-35 at 8^th Street and US 183 at Pecan Park Boulevard in Austin. I-35 at Rundberg Lane will also get new street illumination. Austin Traffic Signal Construction will be completing the work on the $1.1 million contract.