Sam Gomez, left, and Eric Galindo, both employees of the Texas Department of Transportation, watch traffic on Interstate 35 on Monday before a ceremony marking the reopening of the Robert S. Light Overpass in Buda. (Photos by Wes Ferguson)
by WES FERGUSON
Truck drivers of Buda, rejoice. And keep your fingers crossed.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday marked the long-awaited opening of the Robert S. Light Overpass in Buda. The overpass is expected to ease heavy commercial traffic on Buda’s access roads, and it is the latest link in the development of an industrial corridor south of the city center.
The bridge connects Buda’s new truck bypass – also named for Robert S. Light – on the west side of Interstate 35 with Hillside Terrace Drive on the east.
Conspicuously absent, however, are on-ramps and off-ramps that would have connected the overpass to Interstate 35.
“We’re hoping to do something about that,” said City Councilman Ron Fletcher, who described the overpass as “barebones.”
“It’s one step closer to where it needs to be,” he added.
To pay for construction of the ramps, Hays County has submitted an application for federal funds distributed by the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. The project has survived the first round of CAMPO deliberations, and the county and city are optimistic that funds will be available.
“If we don’t get it this time around, it still makes a good shovel-ready project for the next round of funding,” said Buda Mayor Sarah Mangham. “But I’m hoping for this round.”
The bypass and overpass were built with a combination of federal, county, local and private funds, including $5.8 million in federal stimulus money and nearly $1.6 million from the Meadows at Buda commercial development. Robert Light, the project’s namesake, is a developer of the Meadows.
“Individually, it’s tough to get things done,” said Carlos Lopez, who was the Texas Department of Transportation district engineer for the project. “Together, we get things done.”
The bypass diverts heavy truck traffic away from downtown Buda. Before Monday, truck drivers who wanted to exit the bypass and head north on Interstate 35 had to first drive south on the frontage road about two miles before crossing at Dry Hole Road and heading north again.
“For every truck that can now take that overpass, they have cut off mileage, cut off time in their commercial truck and cut off emissions,” Mangham said. “It’s a win-win for any situation.”
The overpass is three lanes wide with plans for a future expansion to five lanes.
