Marble Falls seeks ‘relief route’ study
Traffic along U.S. 281 is a concern for Marble Falls residents and leaders, who hope the Texas Department of Transportation can provide some help with a ‘relief route’ in Burnet County. Pictured is the view of the U.S. 281 bridge from the parking lot of Starbucks at around 10:45 a.m. June 26, 2025. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey
Marble Falls has a traffic problem, and the city is asking for “relief.”
The City Council on June 17 approved an official request to the Texas Department of Transportation for a feasibility study on a relief route in Burnet County, noting massive regional growth and a rise in daily traffic counts.
The relief route could be a loop or a bypass around the city, a designated trucking route, a new bridge across the Colorado River, or some other solution. Procedurally, it could take a year before the request is fully processed by TxDOT, another year before a study begins, and still more years before any sort of work is done.
“We’re trying to look at something that is a little more broad, maybe at the county level,” said Marble Falls Deputy City Manager Caleb Kraenzel, who spearheaded route talks with the council during its recent meeting. “Me, personally, I would like to see (TxDOT) do some sort of loop. I know a lot of businesses are concerned about some sort of bypass. It’s a balancing act.”
Two major traffic concerns are U.S. 281 congestion in the heart of Marble Falls, specifically near the RR 1431 intersection, and booming residential growth at the U.S. 281-Texas 71 intersection, Kraenzel told DailyTrib.com.
Finding a solution to traffic woes is paramount to Marble Falls residents, according to a survey and public workshops done before the city rolled out its 2024 Comprehensive Plan.
THE NUMBERS
The latest data from the TxDOT Statewide Traffic Count Map shows a massive rise in daily traffic near major intersections between 2010 and 2023. Traffic counts on U.S. 281 just south of the RR 1431 intersection rose 24 percent from 27,000 daily vehicles in 2010 to 34,369 in 2023. Counts on 281 just north of the Texas 71 intersection went up 48.7 percent from 14,100 daily vehicles in 2010 to 23,180 in 2023.
Marble Falls leaders estimate the city’s population could double within 40 years. That assessment seems highly likely after taking into account a 23.95 percent population increase—7,594 to 9,413—between 2023 and 2024, according to the latest U.S. Census data. The city also predicts roadway infrastructure could approach or reach its capacity within 10 years based on current vehicle counts.
While U.S. 281, RR 1431, and Texas 71 all lie within Marble Falls city limits, they are completely under the jurisdiction of TxDOT. The state agency is responsible for upgrading, improving, maintaining, and fixing the major thoroughfares.
Marble Falls cannot directly work on those roadways without collaborating with TxDOT. The request for a relief route feasibility study is one of the few actions the city can take on its own. TxDOT will now process the request and determine whether or not to move forward on the study, which must be done before the department begins a project.
“TxDOT regularly collaborates with local partners to develop and implement transportation projects,” reads a statement to DailyTrib.com from TxDOT officials. “We deeply value these partnerships, including our ongoing work with the city of Marble Falls. Transportation projects are typically identified many years before they receive funding or move into construction. A key tool we use in the early stages of project development is the feasibility study. These studies help us evaluate potential improvements to existing roadways or explore options for new routes.”
OTHER PROJECTS
While a relief route could be years in the making, TxDOT is currently addressing area traffic issues with other major projects.
- Plans for the U.S. 281-RR 1431 intersection include adding a right-turn lane for northbound 281 traffic, rehabbing pavement, and upgrading traffic signals. The project should go out for bid in mid-2026.
- TxDOT is conducting an environmental and schematic study of the U.S. 281-Texas 71 interchange to determine the best course of action for improving traffic flow. This project has been extended, but the last estimate for a start date was sometime between 2028 and 2033.
- The department is currently improving the dangerous Texas 71-CR 401 intersection near Spicewood by adding right- and left-turn lanes and a new traffic light. This project should be finished by mid-2026.
- TxDOT is funding and handling the Wirtz Dam Bridge project, which would connect RR 1431 and FM 2147 over the Colorado River between Cottonwood Shores and Granite Shoals. The project was delayed due to the discovery of an archaeological site nearby. Construction could begin in 2026.
Meanwhile, the City oks every development brought to them! Just yesterday, it looks like they are approving a development south of Greg Ranch with a monorail and a LAGOON! Why is the City so worried about traffic (and water) while approving all these developments that they know will bring more traffic and more importantly drain the lakes and aquifer?! Sounds like they are taking their cues from Austin – from which many of us have escaped – due in large part to incompetence and mismanagement of land, water and traffic….Unbelievable…
That’s an interesting take. I could certainly work, but the concern for me would be where Wirtz Dam Rd meets up with 2147 – it’s a tight fit that would require more acquisition of right-of-way with developed property. If they abandoned the Wirtz Dam option and instead built a bridge east of Cottonwood Shores and west of Meadowlakes, that might be an option – but a substantial scope change to what is already in the works. Not likely.
I believe they’ve historically preferred and eastern route around MF and eventually Burnet for a controlled-access loop/bypass. This would enable “local” traffic to utilize Wirtz Dam Rd and interregional traffic to utilize an eastern route.
Whatever the solution, I’m glad to see the discussion happening. For far too long some of the good ol’ boys have fought a bypass for fear of losing business with travelers. This should have happened 20 years ago.
The obvious solution would be to upgrade the proposed river crossing below Wirtz Dam and extend the roadway from near Park Road 4 to Highway 71 west of the Baylor Scott and White Facility Maybe even reconnect with Highway 281 somewhere near Round Mountain. There would need to be freeway type interchanges at FM 1431, 2147 and at both ends of the road.
The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority would be the logical group to task with the project. They are much more agile and can move faster than the State of Texas because of the State’s antiquated process for funding roads. The Mobility Authority issuing bonds and using tolls can move at lightning speed when compared to the State.
I would gladly pay the fee versus driving through Marble Falls.