Traffic backs up along SH 71 near Tucker Hill Lane as crews continue improvements along the corridor between Bastrop and Austin. (Xorin Aeronautics/Community Impact)
Orange barrels and shifting lanes are a daily reality for drivers along SH 71 between Bastrop and Austin, where a 22-mile stretch of improvements is steadily reshaping the corridor—changes Bastrop officials said will bring long-term relief for motorists.
Texas Department of Transportation/Community Impact
SH 71 East corridor
In 2015, the average daily traffic on SH 71, just east of SH 130, was more than 50,000 vehicles per day, according to a Texas Department of Transportation traffic analysis. By 2022, that count increased to 55,730.
“I’ve worked in Austin for going on 22 years,” Bastrop Mayor Ishmael Harris said during a March 26 business conference. “I’ve traveled up and down SH 71 throughout that time, and that gave me a big perspective and understanding of the impact of people moving to our area. I’m seeing so much traffic.”
He recounted his drive to work at 4:45 a.m. and his drive back to Bastrop about three hours later.
“I took a picture on my way back from Austin because for 2 miles all you could see was headlights,” Harris said.
TxDOT projects aimed at alleviating that congestion as part of the SH 71 East Corridor improvements include:
Tucker Hill Lane
Ross Road and Kellam Road
Pope Bend Road
FM 1209
“We’ve been waiting for that a really long time,” Precinct 2 Commissioner Clara Beckett said.
Jeffrey Barker, a representative for TxDOT, said each is funded through the Texas State Highway Fund.
Texas Department of Transportation, Xorin Aeronautics/Community Impact
Tucker Hill Lane
TxDOT broke ground Oct. 28, 2025, on a $58.5 million project that will add a grade-separated overpass and one-way frontage roads east- and westbound to an existing signalized intersection at Tucker Hill Lane and SH 71.
Texas-based Jordan Foster Construction is completing the project, which is scheduled to wrap up construction in fall 2028, according to TxDOT officials.
“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.”
He stressed that building something new that didn’t exist before isn’t just about infrastructure, but also about improving people’s lives.
“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,” Goodrich said.
The project—near Circle K and McDonald’s along the westbound lanes of SH 71—will feature expanded accommodations for bicycles and pedestrians.“Based on recent coordination with TxDOT, the current phase of construction in this area includes ongoing bridge and overpass work, shifting traffic patterns, and intermittent lane closures that are expected to continue through upcoming project phases,” said Dana Platt, community engagement coordinator of the Capital Area Rural Transportation System.
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Texas Department of Transportation/Community Impact
Pope Bend and FM 1209
The last two TxDOT projects to be completed include Pope Bend Road and FM 1209.
The scope of both projects includes:
Overpass at the Pope Bend intersection
One-way frontage roads within the project limits
Bicycle and pedestrian accommodations
The project requires 9.49 acres of right of way, including 2.1 acres in McKinney Roughs Nature Park—a property subject to Chapter 26 of the Parks and Wildlife Code, which requires TxDOT to show there is no feasible alternative and to minimize harm before the project can move forward.
The anticipated bid opening date is in October for the Pope Bend Road project and 2030 for FM 1209, and several area residents are eager to see the SH 71 East Corridor projects near completion.
“The construction on 71 is atrocious and dangerous for anyone moving,” said Eva Bea, who lives on Wolf Lane near the construction. “Being on SH 71 is the scariest part of my day.”
The road ahead
TxDOT officials said timing adjustments are being made at signalized intersections, but short-term disruptions are ongoing.
Allen Johnson, executive director of Bastrop County Emergency Services District No. 3, said he believes construction could have a negative impact on his team’s response capabilities—especially in the western portions of Bastrop County.
“Long term, the construction improvements will have a positive impact,” he said. “Everyone understands the necessity for it to be improved to keep up with the ongoing growth. ”Once completed, Platt said the team anticipates improved traffic flow and reduced bottlenecks, more consistent and predictable travel times, and enhanced reliability for daily Bastrop County commuters traveling to and from Austin.
