“Hwy. 71 serves as a major corridor for drivers traveling to and from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the city of Bastrop and other Central Texas communities,” TxDOT said in a news release. “With continued growth in Travis and Bastrop counties, TxDOT is improving Hwy. 71 to enhance safety and address congestion by eliminating signalized intersections.”
The details
Jeffrey Barker, a spokesman with TxDOT, told Community Impact in an email that the project will be funded through the Texas State Highway Fund and constructed by Texas-based Jordan Foster Construction.
"What makes projects like these especially meaningful for our team is that they're personal," John Goodrich, president of Infrastructure Group at Jordan Foster Construction, said in a statement. "Many of our employees live in these neighborhoods or commute on these roads. So, when we build something new, something that didn't exist before, it's not just about infrastructure.”
He stressed that it’s more so about improving lives.
“We take that seriously," Goodrich said. "We prioritize being a good neighbor throughout construction by minimizing disruptions, communicating openly, and delivering a project that reflects the pride and care we bring to every job."
Zooming in
The project—near the Circle K and McDonald’s along the westbound lanes of Hwy. 71—will require 24.5 acres of right of way at the intersection, and will feature expanded accommodations for bicycles and pedestrians.
No businesses are expected to be displaced as a result of the project, according to TxDOT.
The Hwy. 71 and Tucker Hill Lane intersection improvement project is among several projects to enhance travel from Bastrop to Austin as part of Hwy. 71 East Corridor plan.
The other Hwy. 71 locations, which have similar scopes of work, include:
- Ross Road (completed)
- Kellam Road (completed)
- Pope Bend Road, with bids opening in October 2026
- FM 1209, with bids opening in 2030
The Tucker Hill Lane project is scheduled to wrap up construction in fall 2028, according to TxDOT.
