Throughout the Central Texas region, counties have become better at what they do, but there is still room for improvement, according to Will Conley, who is the chairman of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Policy Board and a Hays County commissioner.
“Counties work very closely together in Central Texas, and we’re very proud of that,” he said.
Conley said that collaboration is key when it comes to transportation planning as well as responding to disasters, such as the Memorial Day weekend floods, which caused millions of dollars worth of damage and destroyed homes.
How have the flood recovery efforts been?
We are on our feet, and people are moving forward with some recovery. Our first responders probably rescued directly about 250 people. We have a very strong community. For the most part most people are rebuilding and reconstructing, and things are going very well. Our crews are still out there helping. We’re about to start a pretty strong program of implementing new monitoring devices and emergency devices all the way from Blanco County to Caldwell County.
How has the Central Texas region helped?
All our friends and colleagues from Austin and Travis County called in. We had law enforcement rotating in and out of Hays County to help. ... We had road crews from Travis County helping us fix the low water crossings. ... That’s what led, I think, to our efficiency in getting things cleaned up so quickly, because we didn’t do it by ourselves.
How were businesses in the area affected?
[In June] we set record sales tax figures in the city of Wimberley. ... But I know a lot of small businesses directly on the river probably had to return $250,000 worth of deposits [from cancellations]. … There is still a lot [for tourists] to do in the Wimberley Valley—Cypress Creek and Jacob’s Well ... and Market Days and [going] downtown.
How has SH 130 helped to alleviate I-35 traffic?
Most of the traffic on I-35 here in Central Texas is us. So it has certainly helped relieve traffic, but it is built fairly far out there.
So, I think eventually, just my personal opinion, I think 130—and it’s built differently, so don’t take this as an apples to apples [comparison]—is going to look similar to what 1604 looks like today...So, I see that as an asset to the region and something that the communities are going to develop around.
It plays a role; it’s beneficial, but we’re going to have to do other things to improve I-35.
How are authorities planning for SH 45 SW?
We really are into the implementation part of the program. I, for one, don’t believe it will have a significant impact on MoPac. This way hopefully will be more direct, safer and won’t be such a disturbance to so many people, particularly in that portion of Travis County, as thousands of people are cutting through their subdivisions on a daily basis.
How are things going with Lone Star Rail District?
I really believe Lone Star Rail is at a crossroads. I think we’ve come to that point down to where we have enough data and enough information that we will have to start making real decisions. Now it’s getting to the elected officials and the people who are actually going to have to pay for it. … I, for one, and I know I’m not alone, have a lot of questions that need to be answered before I think we can take a step forward.
What is CAMPO doing to plan for transit, cyclists and pedestrians?
We have a lot of plans for all of the above. And it just comes back to priorities and funding.
We don’t move a lot of people on buses. ... [Providing cyclists amenities] makes a lot of sense in San Marcos. ... I think that stuff makes a lot of sense in Central Austin. ... But it’s going to take all of the above for transportation to work well in Central Texas.
