Dripping Springs officials are looking at ways to alleviate traffic concerns along Highway 290 by connecting neighborhood roads to provide alternative routes to Travis County.
One of the newest methods theorized by city and Hays County officials would be a road connecting Tierra Trail in the Headwaters subdivision to Oak Meadow Drive in the Sunset Canyon North neighborhood. The idea, however, was met with concern from area residents regarding the proposed new connection.
While a compromise was reached when the Dripping Springs City Council approved the proposed connector for emergency access only, residents fear connecting neighborhoods could lead to an influx of traffic woes.
The two neighborhoods, which are located west of U.S 290 going towards Austin, house more than 1,000 residents.
Sunset Canyon North residents have the ability to access Bee Cave and County Road 185 through the neighborhood, but residents of Headwaters take Highway 290 to access these areas.
The proposed connectivity would connect Headwaters and Sunset Canyon North, giving access to both neighborhoods without using Hwy. 290.
During a March 13 Dripping Springs City Council meeting public hearing on the proposed project, Sunset Canyon North residents fear increased traffic and safety hazards will come with the new connection.
However, Hays County Commissioner Pct. 4 Ray Whisenant said the connectivity is an opportunity to interconnect the city’s roadways and diverting traffic off of the major highways.
“Our roads simply can’t handle the increased traffic that would come with this connectivity,” said Grant Tait, a resident of Sunset Canyon North. “We do not have sidewalks and proper road infrastructure. The commissioner has even told us that our roads are severely under developed.”
Tait said the roads in his neighborhood are barely wide enough to accommodate two trucks passing each other, and the lack of sidewalks makes it a dangerous roadway for people walking.
“The children of this neighborhood play outside and our residents know that,” Tait said. “As soon as we get people coming in and out of here that aren’t familiar with this area, there are potential risks with that.”
Ultimately, a compromise was crafted between the city, county and neighborhood residents.
Dripping Springs city leaders approved the preliminary plat for Headwaters Phases 3, 4 and 5 with connectivity at Headwaters and Sunset Canyon being emergency access only, at the request of the County.
Hays County officials and the developer of the project are also planning to develop a roadway agreement for triggers to re-evaluate access at the intersection.
But residents’ concerns also extend to talks of a future elementary school in the area and the road infrastructure that would come with it.
“We aren’t against this connectivity,” Tait said. “Our roads simply just can’t handle the traffic, and if this elementary school gets approved, our roads will be destroyed with all the vehicles coming in and out of this area.”
Ginger Faught, Dripping Springs deputy city administrator, said the city is committed to outlying potential connects through neighborhoods to alleviate traffic, with the goal of connection these neighborhoods without having to travel along the major roadways.
“The city and County wants this emergency access for now,” said Michelle Fischer, city administrator for the City of Dripping Springs. “We also want at some point that connection be open, but traffic studies will be conducted before we get there.”
