Burnet County could see toll road someday

That was a part of the message County Subdivision Coordinator George Russell delivered to the Burnet County Triad Monday at the Sheriff’s Office.

Heavy traffic on 281 has nearly reached the maximum level, leading state officials to discuss other solutions, including an alternate route through the area, Russell said.

“More than likely, and I hate to say this, it would probably be a toll road,” said the former city manager of Georgetown and Marble Falls. 

Transportation remains a major concern for county officials, particularly with greater numbers of vehicles driving each day on Texas 29, Texas 71 and RR 1431, in addition to 281, Russell said. 

“Those four roads are just about saturated,” Russell said. “Everything is pushed to those roads, and there are no alternate routes, bypasses or loops to those roads.” 

There is a “ton of talk” among the Texas Department of Transportation, the Texas Transportation Institute and county and city officials about building alternative routes to 281, possibly along CR 120, Wirtz Dam Road west of Marble Falls or somewhere across Lake Marble Falls east of Marble Falls, Russell said. 

However, it is “just talk” because of TxDOT’s recent financial woes, Russell added. 

Indeed, opening an alternate route to 281 on the east side of Marble Falls may cost up to $100 million, plus whatever the cost may be for right-of-way acquisition, Russell noted. 

However, local merchants may object to an alternate route to 281 because it could divert traffic from local businesses, Russell added. 

“I think there are going to be some interesting discussions,” Russell said. 

However, when transportation funds become available, TxDOT and other officials will probably support some alternative to 281, Russell added. 

“I don’t think either city (Burnet or Marble Falls) has much choice,” Russell said. “The longer they put it off, the more cluttered 281 will be.” 

New neighbors

Meanwhile, the population of Burnet County will only keep rising during the next 30 years, and county leaders and residents must do everything they can to prepare for the new arrivals. 

“You cannot stop growth,” Russell said. “You need to make sure you can handle the growth. If it is not done right, you have a train wreck coming down the road. I would hate to see a crash.” 

Russell spoke before several members of the Triad, a non-profit group dedicated to protecting seniors from crime and maintaining emergency communication between seniors, the sheriff and other law enforcement officials. 

According to figures released by the Capital Area Council of Governments and the State Demographer, the county population may go up almost 200 percent during the next three decades, from 47,000 people in 2010 to perhaps as many as 134,000 residents by 2030, Russell said. 

“I think the increases are going to come,” Russell added. “I can see why people want to come here. This is a beautiful county and a beautiful place, and people are going to come here.” 

At the same time, Burnet and Marble Falls merchants are positioning themselves to retain businesses and create new economic development, Russell noted. 

Plans are under way to build a new hospital south of Marble Falls and a shopping area “about the size of the Galleria in Bee Cave,” Russell added. 

County officials and community representatives are currently studying future water supply, transportation and several other issues through the Burnet County Comprehensive Plan and the Burnet County Transportation Plan committees, Russell said. 

Both transportation and water are key factors that will weigh heavily on the future of the county, Russell added. 

“There are a finite number of cars you can put on the road and a finite number as to how much water you can pull out of the lake,” Russell said. “We have to respect that number, and plan accordingly. The idea behind the plans is to give us a template to work with and a report card as to how we’re doing.” 

County officials are discussing water issues with the Lower Colorado River Authority and the Central Texas Groundwater Conservation District, Russell noted. 

“The county needs to ensure there is enough water to meet future needs,” Russell said. “So much of our water from our surface basin may be pulled from us for use in other cities.” 

Citizen participation

Regardless of what the future may hold, county residents as much as elected officials should get involved in the planning process, Russell pointed out. 

“I’m real passionate about that,” Russell said. “It is critical for the citizens of this county to get involved in decisions. They need to get involved on the front end. They need to say what they feel about the future. Their leaders need to know their feelings. It will pay dividends in the long run.” 

Citizen participation in future planning could include serving on county planning committees, as well as contacting the County Commissioners, TxDOT, LCRA and especially the Legislature, because “that is where so much of the funding comes from,” said Russell. 

The Burnet County Comprehensive Plan committee will hold a town meeting 6:30 p.m. today in Burnet at the First United Methodist Church, 909 N. Vanderveer St., Russell added. 

raymond@thepicayune.com