Road Enhancement Projects In WilCo Aim To Reduce Wrecks

AUSTIN, TX — Aiming at reducing traffic deaths, the Texas Department of Transportation is poised to launch several safety projects at key arteries in the area, including two in Williamson County.

"A new year brings a new opportunity to End the Streak of daily traffic deaths on Texas roadways," officials wrote in an advisory. "As part of that effort, several safety projects are expected to get underway in early 2021 to help prevent lane departures."

To that end, crews will repaint outside lane striping and install rumble strips on nearly 20 highways in the Austin area to alert drivers when their vehicle starts to veer off the pavement. The $2.5 million raised pavement marking projects includes RM 1431 and SH 195 in Williamson County.

Work in portions of other area roadways includes:

• Loop 360, FM 3177, FM 1825 and RM 1431 in Travis County.
• FM 2430 and FM 713 in Bastrop County.
• RM 1320 in Blanco County.
• Spur 191 in Burnet County.
• FM 713 in Caldwell County.
• US 87 in Gillespie County.
• FM 112, FM 1624 and FM 2239 in Lee County.
• RM 1431, RM 2233, SH 16 and SH 261 in Llano County.
• RM 152 and FM 1851 in Mason County.

In 2019, the transportation agency allocated $600 million for additional safety improvements along Texas roadways over a two-year period. Improvements in the Austin area will also include reinforced shoulders, flashing beacons and pedestrian barriers. A pedestrian barrier was installed on I-35 between 51st Street and Rundberg Lane in 2020. A raised median was installed on RM 2222 at Mount Bonnell Road in late 2019.

Sobering statistics bespeak the need for improvements: Since Nov. 7, 2000, at least one person has died every day on Texas roads, transportation officials said. To stem the tide, the Texas Department of Transportation urges drivers to help #EndTheStreakTX of daily fatalities by practicing safety behind the wheel:

• Buckle seatbelts – all passengers need to be buckled.
• Pay attention – put phones away and avoid distractions.
• Never drink and drive – drunk driving kills; get a sober ride home.
• Drive to conditions – obey speed limits and drive slower when weather conditions warrant.