Burnet police urge safe driving along Texas 29 East during construction
A portion of Texas 29 just outside of Burnet, pictured in October 2025 prior to road work beginning. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey
The Burnet Police Department is urging residents and travelers to maintain safe driving practices along the corridor of Texas 29 between Burnet and Bertram while significant portions of the road undergo construction.
The road work, expected to continue well into 2027, has caused increased traffic congestion along a roughly 5-mile stretch of Texas 29, creating an increase in “concerning” behavior from drivers.
“What we are seeing is concerning,” Police Chief Tony Hefferin said in a statement to the community. “Some vehicles continue to exceed posted speed limits in the zone, creating unnecessary dangers for everyone. We have also received several reports of drivers using the center median to pass slower traffic.”
Hefferin told DailyTrib that, since he took command of the department at the beginning of the year, he tallied seven traffic collisions and 33 traffic violations within the construction zone. He added that he had witnessed the violations firsthand, having patrolled the area for roughly an hour on two separate occasions, one which resulted in a traffic violation.
“We’ve put (the Texas 29 corridor) as a traffic assignment on multiple occasions. Even I’ve been up there a couple of times,” Hefferin told DailyTrib. “I’ve sat there twice and at least did one traffic stop over one hour.”
As the construction is expected to continue for at least another year, Chief Hefferin said that his department will remain a steady presence in the area to ensure the safety of drivers and workers.
“You will see more officers in the construction zone,” Hefferin said in the statement. “Our priority is making sure everyone, including workers, residents, and visitors, gets home safely every day.”
Work to expand the roadway began in November of 2025 and has continued to shift as crews inch along the roadway accompanied by traffic barriers and cones. Chief Hefferin acknowledged the strain that the changing patterns put on travelers, but reaffirmed that smart driving practices should be followed for everyone to stay safe.
“It’s tough to maneuver over there. It’s awkward for us, it’s awkward for the drivers, it’s awkward all the way around,” Hefferin told DailyTrib. “I get that it’s a construction zone and it slows you down, but it’s done for safety.”