Staff Report
BUDA — Road safety improvements near three schools on FM 967 in Buda are set to begin on or about Oct. 25.
TxDOT (Texas Department of Transportation) will construct a continuous two-way left turn center lane from west of Oak Forest Drive to the intersection with FM 1626. Carpenter Hill Elementary School, Dahlstrom Middle School and Johnson High School are all within the vicinity of the work being done.
The project also includes adding paved shoulders, improving drainage structures and adding a four-foot painted separation median that will run one mile west of Ruby Ranch Road to west of Oak Forest Drive.
Hays County Commissioner Mark Jones, Pct. 2, said that the road improvements will help reduce traffic on FM 967 during peak times when parents and students are driving to and from the schools on the roadway.
“We look forward to alleviating some of the congestion in that area and enhancing the safety for all drivers,” Jones said.
The project is valued at $6,598,035.64. Funding comes from Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO)-awarded Federal funds, the 2016 Hays County Road Bonds and TxDOT Highway Safety Improvement Funds.
According to Jones, the project is anticipated to be completed in fall 2022.
Additionally, Kimberly Hilsenbeck, Hays County communications manager, said that drivers are being asked to use extra caution in the area and allow additional travel time whenever possible as barricades will be placed this week.
