Marble Falls clears way for major intersection upgrade with land transfer
The northeast corner of the U.S. 281-RR 141 intersection will soon be part of travel lane upgrades to the busy thoroughfare. File photo
Marble Falls officials moved forward Tuesday, Feb. 3, with a key land transfer and right-of-way dedication that will allow a long-planned traffic improvement project at the intersection of RR 1431 and U.S. 281 to proceed, setting the stage for construction as early as 2027.
The City Council approved resolutions at its Tuesday meeting authorizing the transfer of about 0.466 acres at 1001 Main Street from the Marble Falls Economic Development Corporation to the city, along with the dedication of a small portion of the property to the Texas Department of Transportation. The actions clear a key administrative hurdle for what city staff described as a substantial infrastructure project aimed at easing congestion.
“The city is dedicating this portion of property so a dual turn lane can be added for traffic headed eastbound onto FM 1431,” Marble Falls Engineer Jeff Prato told DailyTrib.
The property at 1001 Main Street, once home to Thomas’ Bait Shop, which has since been demolished, sits at a strategic corner near the intersection. City leaders previously opposed plans for a car wash at the site, prompting the Economic Development Corporation to purchase the land to prevent a use they believed was incompatible with the area and future transportation needs.
With the land now under city ownership, Marble Falls can dedicate a portion of it to TxDOT and finalize right-of-way documents needed to move the project forward. Construction is expected to begin in early 2027 and last six to eight months.
To minimize disruption, the project will use prefabricated concrete panels that fit together “like Legos,” allowing crews to install roadway sections more quickly than traditional poured concrete. While drivers should expect temporary lane closures, the intersection is not expected to be fully shut down during construction.
City officials have not yet determined what will ultimately be built on the remaining portion of the 1001 Main Street property.
“The city has the desire for the property to be developed into the right thing at the right time,” Pratos said.