Burnet County goes to top of list for U.S. highway funding
Based on a scoring system among several county officials outside Burnet County, the Capital Area Regional Transportation Planning Organization Monday announced its commitment to secure federal money for the road projects.
The U.S. 281 bridge over Lake Marble Falls and several improvements on 281 south of Burnet were rated No. 1 and No. 2 on score sheets, according to CARTPO officials.
“We’re very excited,” County Judge Donna Klaeger said after she received the news.
More than $25 million from a potential economic stimulus package will be set aside to repair the aging bridge at U.S. 281 that extends over Lake Marble Falls, CARTPO officials indicated Monday.
CARTPO also announced they would seek federal funding to improve a stretch of 281 south of the city of Burnet, including a bridge over Delaware Creek, as well as new shoulders and the extension of a left-turn lane near Park Road 4.
The latest development on transportation funding marks a dramatic reversal from months ago, when county officials were informed no financial assistance would be forthcoming from the federal level.
Klaeger praised officials in the cities of Burnet and Marble Falls for providing data and documentation needed to justify both projects.
“I am very proud of our cities in Burnet County,” Klaeger said. “When the (federal) funding was pulled, it would have been easy for them to quit. They continued to work on transportation issues and projects.”
Days before the June 2007 flood, the Texas Department of Transportation indicated federal funds would be unavailable for repairs to the bridge and several other road projects within the county, such as the extension of a left-turn lane between Park Road 4 and Delaware Springs Boulevard.
However, TxDOT Austin engineer Robert Daigh said recently Congress is now considering an economic stimulus package that will include “a large investment in transportation infrastructure.”
“This may be a rare and possibly unique opportunity,” Daigh said during a CARTPO meeting last month.
“We are preparing for the possibility, so that if does happen, we can take advantage of it,” the TxDOT engineer added.
Klaeger pleaded with CARTPO officials to place the Marble Falls bridge and improvements to 281 near the top of requests for federal funds to support highway projects during her 12-minute presentation last week at the Capital Area Council of Governments headquarters in Austin.
The county needs to replace and widen the bridge that crosses the Colorado River for economic and safety reasons, Klaeger noted.
During the recent years, the 281 bridge has become the preferred route for the transfer of military equipment and personnel, hazardous materials and storm evacuation, Klaeger said.
“Any incident that requires the closure of the bridge will create substantial traffic and economic impact to the region because of long, circuitous detours,” Klaeger said.
Most motorists would have to travel 40 to 100 extra miles around the bridge at Marble Falls if it had to close, Klaeger added.
TxDOT and Marble Falls officials are working together to obtain right-of-way entry and acquisition for the 281 bridge- replacement project.
Also, Marble Falls officials have set aside local funds of about $500,000 for the project, Klaeger said.
The Delaware Creek bridge on 281 is also showing its age, Klaeger added.
Meanwhile, deterioration of the road along 281 between Park Road 4 and Delaware Springs south of the city of Burnet is a threat to traffic safety, Klaeger noted.
raymond@thepicayune.com