Klaeger makes case for U.S. 281 bridge revamp

AUSTIN — Citing economic and safety factors, Burnet County Judge Donna Klaeger Friday appealed to state officials for the release of $35 million in federal funding to help support major repairs to U.S. 281, including the aging bridge spanning Lake Marble Falls. 

The county needs to replace and widen the bridge that extends over the Colorado River, improve a bridge over Delaware Creek and build new shoulders on 281 south of Burnet near Park Road 4, Klaeger said during the 12-minute presentation.

The funding is subject to federal approval early next year.

“Both of our projects meet all of the (planning and design) criteria, and I feel very good about our chances for (federal) funding should the money become available,” Klaeger told the Daily Tribune after she presented the case for the county to the Capital Area Regional Transportation Planning Organization. 

State officials aren’t expected to have an answer until next week.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Bill Neve and Precinct 3 Commissioner Ronny Hibler also attended the meeting at the Capital Area Council of Government’s headquarters. 

Transportation experts have estimated $35 million as the total cost for the projects. 

“When funding is available, our projects are ready to go,” Klaeger added. 

CARTPO held the meeting to discuss which highway projects in Burnet and nearby rural counties ought to get federal funds from an economic stimulus package Congress and the president could approve in February.

The bridge in Marble Falls is a high priority, county officials have said earlier following a transit survey of residents.

Also, the county needs to rebuild a small bridge over Delaware Creek and extend a left-turn lane and build new shoulders along 281 between Park Road 4 and Delaware Springs Boulevard, Klaeger added. 

Aging 281

Decent recent years, 281 has been designated as the main route for the transport of hazardous materials, storm evacuation and transfers of military equipment and personnel from Fort Hood to San Antonio and Corpus Christi, Klaeger said.

Also, the highway has accommodated increased numbers of trucks and other vehicles spilling over from Interstate 35, the arrival of new businesses in the city of Burnet and Marble Falls and population growth across the county, Klaeger added. 

“Highway 281 has become the preferred route,” Klaeger said.

However, the 281 bridge over the lake and the river is the same age and of similar design to a bridge that collapsed in Minnesota recently, Klaeger said. 

The Texas Department of Transportation has noted that while the bridge design is no longer current, it is structurally sound.

“This bridge is the only bridge that crosses the Colorado River in this area,” Klaeger told CARTPO. “Any incident that requires the closure of the bridge will create substantial traffic and economic impact to the region because of long, circuitous detours.” 

Indeed, most motorists would have to drive 40 to 100 extra miles to reach their destinations if the bridge at Marble Falls had to close, Klaeger said. 

Support for project

Llano County Judge Wayne Brascom offered his support for the Marble Falls bridge project. 

“I think it is very much needed,” Brascom said, adding he has written letters to the U.S. Department of Transportation to consider funding the project. 

When an accident occurs on the bridge, traffic “is backed up for two to three miles,” Brascom said, adding the area near the bridge “becomes a real gridlock.” 

“Judge Klaeger is accurate,” said Brascom, who is also the CARTPO vice chairman. “I think the (281) bridge is very important for our state, way beyond Burnet County.” 

The Delaware Creek bridge is also showing its age, Klaeger added. 

“That bridge would not contain a 100-year-old flood event right now,” Klaeger said. 

Deterioration of the road along 281 between Park Road 4 and Delaware Springs south of the city of Burnet is putting motorists at risk, Klaeger noted. 

“We have safety concerns,” Klaeger said, adding numerous traffic collisions and fatalities have occurred along 281 during recent months. 

Both state Sen. Troy Fraser and state Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock have indicated their support for the highway projects, Klaeger said.

The Texas Department of Transportation and Marble Falls officials are cooperating to obtain right-of-way entry and acquisition for the 281 bridge replacement project. Marble Falls officials have set aside local funds of about $500,000 for the project, Klaeger said. 

As for 281 south of Burnet, an extended turn lane will open up more than two miles of commercial acreage and “greatly increase the viability of retail and residential development,” Klaeger added. 

Burnet has already extended water and wastewater utilities to the site of the proposed lane extension and has zoned the area for commercial use, Klaeger pointed out. 

Also, the city of Burnet has put aside about $500,000 for the extension, including $100,000 contributed by local property owners, Klaeger said. 

In fact, CARTPO approved the extension as its No. 1 priority three years ago, before federal officials reneged on an agreement to provide money for the project, Klaeger said. 

Other counties

During the meeting, officials from Bastrop, Caldwell, Lee and Llano counties also asked CARTPO to consider approval of federal funds for highway projects in their areas. 

Approval of funds will depend on a scoring system among CARTPO officials. 

Score results will be announced Monday, CAPCOG officials have said. 

Although Klaeger and Hibler are members of the CARTPO committee, they cannot vote on funding issues involving their own jurisdiction, Klaeger said. 

Before the meeting ended, CARTPO chairman and Hays County Commissioner Will Conley indicated the door is open for counties to request highway funds from the state and other sources. 

“This is only the beginning,” said Conley.

Although not a committee member, Neve attended the CARTPO meeting Friday as an observer. 

“I think (Klaeger) was right on with what she said,” Neve said. “I think that will come out with the scoring. I think they (the county’s project requests) were the only ones that qualified (for federal funds).” 

raymond@thepicayune.com

Photo by Raymond V. Whelan