Hays County Commissioner Pct. 4 Karen Ford accepts the first reimbursement check for Texas 290 West improvements from Texas Department of Transportation District Engineer Carlos Lopez. COURTESY PHOTO
SUBMITTED REPORT
Hays County recently accepted the first reimbursement check from the Texas Department of Transportation for improvements to Texas 290 West, between Dripping Springs and the Travis County line. The construction project was finished in February 2010.
The $678,657.52 check marks the first reimbursement payment for a pass-through financing partnership between Hays County and TxDOT which added additional turn lanes and improved shoulders to the roadway.
“Not only did this project come in about $1.5 million under the engineer’s estimate, but traffic volumes are good and will fast-track the payback for this needed safety improvement,” said Hays County Pct. 4 Commissioner Karen Ford said. “We look forward to receiving these reimbursement checks from TxDOT on a quarterly basis. The program is working as planned.”
Voters approved the pass-through program and a road bond package in November 2008, which allowed tax-funded bonds to pay up front for Highway 290 West construction costs totaling about $6.5 million. TxDOT ultimately will reimburse 100 percent of the costs based on the highway’s traffic volume.
“TxDOT appreciates the excellent partnership we have with Hays County on these pass-through projects,” said TxDOT District Engineer Carlos Lopez, P.E. “If it were not for the County’s willingness to put forward funds, this much-needed road improvement would not have become a reality.”
— FROM HAYS COUNTY/LAUREEN CHERNOW
