By Moses Leos III
Rapid growth in the Interstate 35 corridor between Buda and San Marcos has Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) exploring options to improve mobility, reliability and emergency response times on the interstate.
One proposed option is a fourth lane that could extend 23.7 miles from State Highway 45 southeast (SH 45 SE) outside of Buda to Posey Road in San Marcos.
The plan was discussed as part of TxDOT’s Hays County Feasibility Open House, held at Hays High School Sept. 30.
According to Chris Bishop, TxDOT spokesperson for the Austin District, the goal is to gain public input on how to accomplish improved mobility. The discussion included several options TxDOT believes could alleviate future congestion.
While some changes would likely not be made for at least five years, Bishop said planning for that time now is important.
“We need to do our homework now, in order to have decisions made and plans in place,” Bishop said. “When money becomes available, we can move forward.”
One concept considered is adding an additional lane in each direction to IH-35. The benefits, according to TxDOT, would allow for capacity to increase in the main lanes.
But Bishop said several challenges lie ahead for the proposed addition. Fitting it with the existing right-of-way is a looming issue.
It could force TxDOT to work around medians, or possibly expand the main lanes to create the necessary space.
“We can do it, because we can add it in there, but it’s not always simple,” Bishop said.
Public input was also sought on how the lanes should function. Options include creating a managed, i.e., toll, lane.
High occupancy vehicle (HOV) and high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes are options used in Houston and Dallas. Vehicles with two or more passengers, including buses, can utilize the lane, bypassing the main highway. With HOV lanes, there is no fee, but the vehicle must have the minimum number of occupants so as not to incur getting a ticket and fine.
Both types of lanes may be used for freight and for the general public.
Bishop said funding would ultimately decide the timeline for such an addition. Public involvement will forward the project as well.
“If funding is available in five years, it can start,” Bishop said. “If it takes longer, it takes longer.”
Another option where TxDOT wants public feedback is improving intersections, what TxDOT calls conventional intersection configuration, along the IH-35 corridor.
That option could include adding additional cross-street lanes, turn lanes to frontage roads, through lanes and possibly bicycle and pedestrian improvements.
Such improvements are under consideration for the intersections of IH-35 and Main Street, Overpass Road/Cabela’s Drive, and Robert S. Light Boulevard in Buda.
It’s also an option for the Kyle Crossing and Yarrington Road intersections.
TxDOT presented several considered options for improving the intersections of IH-35 at Center Street (FM 150) and Kyle Parkway.
Current configurations can handle traffic until 2030; TxDOT is planning for what comes next.
Steve Miller, TxDOT consultant, said focusing on conventional solutions, such as adding turn lanes and Texas turnarounds come first.
“When those solutions no longer allow us to keep traffic moving through an intersection, that’s when we start thinking of innovative concepts such as a divergent diamond,” Miller said.
A divergent diamond is meant to handle traffic by keeping it in motion. It’s done, according to Miller, by taking away several turn phases at intersections.
TxDOT has one divergent diamond scheduled for letting in Round Rock. A variation of the feature can be found at the eastbound intersection of Aquarena Springs Drive and IH-35 in San Marcos.
However, Bishop said there is “no one size fits all” when it comes to alleviating mobility issues. He said assessing the condition of the intersections would be necessary in the future.
With public comments now in hand, Bishop and TxDOT will take into account what people think.
“We want to find out and see what they think is needed,” he said.