TxDOT is "pumping the brakes" on its plan to build an I-35 like freeway through the hill country from Oak Hill into Dripping. Residents and business owners have until June 22nd to email TxDOT their input on a design that would best serve the community. 

Now is the time for Dripping Springs to provide constructive direction on this project and TxDOT must hear from each of us. Strength in numbers has never been more important. 

It is imperative that we all submit our thoughts and ideas by Saturday, June 22nd to US290W@txdotaustin.com

Below are some talking points and suggested improvements for the 13 mile corridor, if it's helpful. For example, various community leaders and transportation planners have said they believe a 6 lane divided highway with bioswale medians and Michigan left turns would significantly increase safety, as well as increase traffic flow along the corridor by redirecting left turns with the flow of traffic. This type of creative intersection solution would also eliminate the need and cost for overpasses, underpasses, and access roads. 

We have 1 week left to flood TxDOT's inbox. Please don't miss this opportunity to let your voice be heard. TxDOT has shown they will listen, but our window for input is limited. 

Submit your comments to US290W@txdotaustin.com by JUNE 22nd!

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Suggested Ideas and Talking Points for the Email: 

1. Interstate styled highways with access roads do a great job at insulating faster moving traffic from slower moving traffic, but these highways also isolate the traffic from their surrounding community, posing a severe threat to local businesses and home values. With so many businesses and neighborhoods along this 290W corridor, a superhighway would fragment our community in favor of maintaining high speeds through our town.  
2. The noise, air and light pollution from overpasses and underpasses would eliminate the very reason people live and leisure here.  
3. Considering the growth of the region and the unique way we use this thoroughfare, a six-lane divided highway with bioswale medians and creative intersection solutions such as Michigan left turns would significantly increase traffic flow and decrease t-bone accidents by redirecting left turns with the flow of traffic. Michigan left turn lanes would also eliminate the necessity (and cost) of overpasses, underpasses, and access roads.
4. Utilizing bioswales in the medians and beyond the shoulders would eliminate the need for water retention ponds. Bioswales are landscape features that collect polluted stormwater runoff, soak it into the ground, and filter out pollution. During heavy rains, retention ponds are overwhelmed and no longer effectively strain out pollutants. Bioswales slow down moving water, and allow for excess water to be absorbed.
5. When looking at projected growth along the 290W corridor, TxDOT must consider already approved expansions to local serving highways like FM 150, FM 1826, RR 12. Also, the addition of the new high school on Darden Hill will decrease the volume of traffic along the 290W corridor by roughly 1,000 cars a day. 
6. We understand that the growth projections that guide these projects are influenced by development permits submitted to local entities. This can be problematic, as these developments are not always built or are very often scaled back due to factors such as changes in the housing market and limited resources in the area.