Hays County commissioners voted on March 25 to approve an agreement with Travis County and the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority to fund design and construction of SH 45 SW, which would connect Mopac in Travis County with FM 1626 in Hays County. The highway has been discussed since the 1980s, but was delayed for many reasons. The Texas Department of Transportation is conducting an environmental study into the project, which some have said will have an adverse affect on the Edwards Aquifer. If the study supports building the highway, Hays and Travis counties will commit $5 million and $15 million, respectively. The county has also agreed to commit $500,000 of its share by June 30. Travis County will commit $2,500,000 of its share by the same date. About two years ago Hays County commissioners voted to partner with Travis County to buy back the right-of-way for SH 45 SW. Since that time, Hays County Precinct 2 Commissioner Mark Jones has had regular meetings with Travis County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty to discuss the road and all of the costs associated with constructing it. "After looking at the road, we knew that it was going to [cost] more than what either one of the counties could build that road for," Jones said. "To build it as a county road, the lowest estimate we heard was $55 million to $70 million." Jones said the counties decided to partner with the mobility authority in order to make the project feasible. According to the contract, the mobility authority will provide "in-kind" services related to the design and construction of the 3.6-mile roadway. The road is being planned as a 4-lane toll road. Hays County Judge Bert Cobb said he wanted to ensure the county does not commit money to a project that does not end up moving forward. Hays County General Counsel Mark Kennedy said he was confident the contract provides adequate protection for Hays County. Travis County will commit the remaining $12,500,000 of its share by Oct. 30. Hays County will commit the remainder of its share no later than 20 days after the mobility authority provides written notice to the counties that it intends to issue a bid solicitation for the project. "The fact that Hays County's remaining money would be the last in on the project prior to bid solicitation speaks well for that expenditure," Kennedy said. "I believe we can be confident that at bid solicitation the project will be going forward."