Kevin Hoffman, Tetra Tech transportation regional director, gave a presentation on the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, or CAMPO, intersection study at an Aug. 5 City Council meeting.
The details
The CAMPO study analyzes the intersection of FM 1626 and RM 967 and aims to improve mobility and connectivity, prioritize multimodal transportation, support economic development and enhance safety. An additional goal of the study is to create a sense of place by including aesthetic design elements that improve community identity.
The Tetra Tech team outlined six possible intersection build concepts, including a conventional traffic signal and a center turn overpass.
Why it matters
The intersection connects the two major commuter pathways through Hays County for local and regional travel. By 2050, the projected volume of traffic will be 138,261 cars per day, which the current intersection cannot accommodate, according to the study.
Safety and connectivity are also some of the main priorities of the study.
The boundaries of the intersection study include several high-crash areas. With Elm Grove Elementary School and Dahlstrom Middle School near the intersection, enhanced safety is a top priority.
Additionally, the study aims to provide connectivity for people wanting to access parks, trails and the sportsplex, which is within the study boundary. The current congestion at peak traffic hours makes it difficult to cross FM 1626 to access these amenities.
Public input
Tetra Tech has hosted two public meetings with a third planned for mid-August. Community outreach has yielded over 640 survey responses.
In both the public meetings and the online survey responses, there was an emphasis on safety and simplicity. The community voiced more comfort with intersection designs that they were familiar with, such as a conventional intersection and a diamond interchange, which are common on I-35.
There was also concern with school traffic in the corridor, especially regarding teen drivers and their ability to understand an unfamiliar intersection design.
Stay tuned
At the Aug. 5 City Council meeting, Hoffman presented the study’s recommendations for the next 15 years. Near-term recommendations, which cover the next five years, included a feasibility study to add capacity to RM 967 and a thoroughfare study to evaluate new roadway connections.
A representative from Tetra Tech will return to present a traffic analysis and concept layouts for two build alternatives at an upcoming council meeting. The team will submit the technical analysis of the study by the end of August.
