Bee Cave City Council approved a funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for improvements at the Hwy. 71, Hamilton Pool Road and Bee Cave Parkway intersection.
The overview
In January 2024, City Council approved a resolution supporting design improvements for an "innovative intersection" such as a diverging diamond.
Since then, the city has worked with TxDOT and found that expanding the intersection would be a faster and more viable solution for pedestrians than an "innovative intersection," Bee Cave City Manager Julie Oakley said.
The improvements that will expand the intersection are aimed at accommodating Bee Cave’s consistent population growth in recent years, per city documents.
The proposed improvements include:
Widening the pavement along westbound Hwy. 71 to add a second left turn lane and acceleration lane for right turns along southbound Bee Cave Parkway
Widening the pavement along southbound Bee Cave Parkway to add a second right turn lane to westbound Hwy. 71
Widening the pavement along northbound Hamilton Pool Road to add a second right turn lane to eastbound Hwy. 71
Widening the pavement along southbound Hamilton Pool Road to add an acceleration lane for drivers turning right from eastbound Hwy. 71
Replacing existing signals
Adding pedestrian facilities along Hwy. 71, Hamilton Pool Road and Bee Cave Parkway
Potential ditch grading along Hwy. 71
Potential storm sewer improvements to existing facilities along Bee Cave Parkway
The details
The project is estimated to cost the city about $2.8 million, whereas the state costs are at nearly $3.7 million.
Bee Cave will be funding the Bee Cave Parkway improvements, while TxDOT will fund the improvements on Hamilton Pool Road and Hwy. 71.
"I have a lot of respect for TxDOT and their engineers, but I'd really like for the local engineers to be able to really roll their sleeves up and design these intersections in their communities," Oakley said.
There is currently no projected timeline as the resolution of support is required by TxDOT prior to finalizing the Advanced Funding Agreement.
