Got an opinion on SH 45 Southwest? Now's the chance to make yours count.
After years of wrangling and false starts, TXDOT unveils a plan tonight, July 29, for how the toll road could be built to connect FM 1626 north of Buda (near the City of Hays) to MoPac, allowing travelers to bypass Brodie Lane.
Weigh in for, or against, the plan by showing up tonight at Bowie High School, 4103 Slaughter Lane in South Austin. (You'll probably have to take Brodie Ln. to get there, and to get home).
The evening starts with an open house from 5 - 6 p.m., followed by a presentation from TXDOT, and then public questions and comment (probably starting about 6:45 or 7 p.m.). You can rage against the dying of the light by signing up to speak -- or make written comments and go home.
And if you're feeling plain lazy, or can't stand the thought of fighting congestion to talk about roads that supporters say would fight congestion, you can register for or against the plan at sh45sw.com. That's right. Sign on now and get your comments in early.
It promises to be quite a show so it might be worth just showing up. Hays and Travis counties, and the regional transportation body known as CAMPO, have indicated support for the project, while some Austin neighborhood and environmental groups strongly disagree with the road plan. Late Monday, the Austin city manager fired off a last maneuver to delay the project again.
Pro-45ers are urging folks to wear green to show support ("green means go"). No word yet on the dress code for aginners. (Look it up if you need to.)
