BUDA — Buda City Council received updates on the 2021 bond program during a workshop at its Feb. 6 meeting.
Capital program manager Kenny Crawford began by covering the planned parking lot, which aims to replace the existing gravel parking lot at Buda City Park with approximately 250 all-weather surface parking spaces.
Doucet & Associates finalized construction plans in late October 2023 and the city evaluated and selected the "most qualified low bidder," Harris Road Company of Wimberley, to begin construction.
According to Crawford, construction began on the planned date in January and since, Harris Road Company has been “aggressively attacking the project,” resulting in the north parking lot being cleared out. Despite this work, the compaction element has not been completed due to neccessary testing that is pending.
The “good news” is that there may be cuts to the costs needed to finish the project. This is because the Public Works Department installed a parking lot prior to this construction and the base of it could potentially be salvaged and used again, contingent upon test results.
Next, Talley Loop has a full-depth reconstruction planned from Cullen Boulevard north toward Garlic Creek Drive to address pavement failures. At the northern end of the road, they will be doing a “mill and replace.” Construction of this portion, which lies directly in front of residential properties, will serve as a “pilot,” explained Crawford, to make sure the team is able to minimize construction impacts, create a traffic control plan and ensure communication with and accommodate those who live there.
A public engagement session with 14 residents led to no comments, but the team is prepared to handle potential questions that will occur in the future by placing door hangers at each house with a QR code that leads to more information and construction updates.
The design is expected to be complete in spring 2024, with construction bidding in summer 2024. Construction should begin in fall 2024.
As part of the capital improvement programs, the sidewalk improvements at Old San Antonio Road and Cabela’s Drive are 90% complete with design. Currently, Crawford explained, there are insufficient funds if the project is executed as it was originally approved, but they can amend this if they take into consideration future developments. If future developers and landowners are responsible for building the sidewalk that lies directly next to or in front of the property, the city can save $15,000 and only spend $30,000. Because there would be a $15,000 cost avoidance, Crawford suggested putting this money into funding the sidewalk that would run from Rylander Street to IH-35. This sidewalk is expected to cost $152,000, but there is only a $67,000 budget. The extra $15,000 would lessen the budget overage to $70,000 rather than $85,000.
Crawford then addressed the consideration of a sidewalk along the southside of RM 967, between FM 1626 and Buda Sportsplex Drive. This would be a 10-foot sidewalk, with no lighting.
The issue, he explained, is that it would currently require right of entry onto four properties. The letters have been sent and received by homeowners, but the city has not received a response, so they will eventually attempt to make contact through phone calls. After, teams will begin surveying the property.
“We have to do this. If you’ve ever watched what Dahlstrom [Middle School] looks like whenever they let kids out, it’s like an ant farm. They meander everywhere and they try to cross this road,” said Mayor Lee Urbanovsky. “[They are already crossing]; it's already happening, so we need a safe way to get them there.”
The intersections of FM 2770, China Street and Main Street is another project that is in the beginning stages, with a vision of parking on the upper west side of FM 2770 and a walkway with trees along the sides of the road.
“The goal is to increase the pedestrian mobility and bicycle mobility at this intersection,” said Crawford.
The bond elements cite 1-foot sidewalks along FM 2770 and 8-foot sidewalks along Main Street to connect them to existing sidewalks. There would also be crosswalks at all legs of the intersection.
Council members requested that there be a right hand turn lane to prevent backup traffic and more greenery in the area.
“Safety wise, this is probably one of the most dangerous curves in town right now,” said council member Paul Daugereau.
He emphasized the increased level of tourism is accelerating the need for this, as well as the need to connect the entirety of downtown Buda. Daugereau also stated that a crosswalk signal and additional lighting would be needed.
The city is also preparing to add two eastbound right turn lanes at the intersections of Grove Lane and Garlic Creek Road and then, Remuda Trail and Garlic Creek Drive off FM 967. This would consist of moving the sidewalk down to accommodate the curve, providing 250 feet to turn right and create traffic continuance.
A public engagement survey held in December 2023 yielded positive results and requested more of the deceleration lanes throughout the city.
The project is expected to finish design in summer 2024 and begin construction in early 2025. Additional acceleration lanes will be considered in the future.
Finally, FM 967 will have a right turn lane at FM 1626 to cater to westbound traffic turning right after a current traffic count confirmed the need for an additional lane. This would stretch from Canyon Wren Drive to FM 1626.
Residents also agreed that this was needed, but gave feedback that suggested a crosswalk and more protection for pedestrians.
The earliest point of construction would be 2025, but the design is slated to finish in summer 2024.
For more information on these or other projects, visit www.budabonds.com.
