After receiving over 1k comments from the Dripping Springs community back in February, TxDOT is "pumping the brakes" on their plan to build an I-35 like freeway along the 290W corridor from Oak Hill into Dripping. Residents and business owners have until this Saturday, June 22nd to email TxDOT their input on what they do and do not like about the proposed expansion. 

To what extent TxDOT is willing to move the needle on their up-to 16 lane expansion for the 290W corridor will be determined by the feedback and ideas they receive from the community by this Saturday. 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 grass landscaped medians and Michigan left turns would significantly increase safety along the 290W corridor, as well as increase traffic flow 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 5 days left to flood TxDOT's inbox. 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 in Dripping Springs and the surrounding area. 
3. 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. 
4. Considering the growth of the region and the unique way we use this thoroughfare, a six-lane divided highway with grass 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.
5. 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 often scaled back due to factors such as changes in the housing market and limited resources in the area.