US 290 from Oak Hill to Dripping Springs Environmental Study

TxDOT is conducting an environmental study to evaluate long-term safety and mobility solutions along US 290 from RM 1826 in southwest Austin to Rob Shelton Boulevard in Dripping Springs. The purpose of this study is to identify long-term solutions that:

Improve mobility and safety in the corridor
Enhance accessibility for residents and businesses
Improve emergency response times
Support economic development
Minimize impacts to the community and natural environment

Study overview

Significant residential and commercial growth is occurring along US 290 between Austin and Dripping Springs threatening mobility, safety and the economic livelihood of those along US 290 in Travis and Hays counties. By 2045, traffic demand is expected to double, creating unreliable routes for emergency vehicles, residents and those traveling east and west through the corridor. Between 2016 to 2022, there were more than 1,500 crashes.

The US 290 (Oak Hill to Dripping Springs) Environmental Study began in 2023. This is the second phase of a multi-step process to determine options for maximizing safety and mobility along the corridor.

The study will include:

Engagement with community stakeholders, public agencies and local governments
Continued analyses of current corridor conditions
Refinement of the purpose and need for the project
Evaluation of design options and the No Build (do nothing) alternative
Evaluation of potential impacts to the community and environment (e.g., water resources, air quality, noise, threatened and endangered species, historical and archeological resources, land use and parkland)
Determine a recommended design option or No Build alternative

Project development process

Stakeholder engagement occurs on an ongoing basis throughout all project development phases:

Phase 1: Planning and Feasibility Study (2019-2020)
Phase 2: Environmental Design and Schematic Design: Environmental Finding (We are Here)
Phase 3: Final design, right of way acquisition and utility adjustments
Phase 4: Construction (unfunded)

Advancing to the next phase depends on the previous phase outcome, as well as funding availability.

Get involved

Join TxDOT at a Community Workshop on Saturday, June 1, 2024, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Dripping Springs Ranch Events Center (1042 Event Center Dr., Dripping Springs, TX 78620). Attendees can come and go at their convenience. The extended event hours are intended to accommodate the most people possible, so that TxDOT and the study team will be able to speak with community members one to one, answer their questions and listen throughout the day.

Information will be available about the study process, the problems we are trying to address, feedback we’ve heard from the community and project changes, as well as impacts to the community and environment that are being considered by the study. We hope you will attend to share your input and tell us about issues you are experiencing in the corridor.

Requests to receive study updates may be sent to US290W@txdotaustin.com.

Information about previous public involvement activities can be accessed below:

Downloads

Fact Sheet

Other area projects and studies

Due to significant growth and travel demand, other area projects and studies are underway, including:

Oak Hill Parkway construction is in progress, with completion anticipated in 2026. The project includes the addition of lanes for drivers traveling through Oak Hill, as well as frontage roads for local traffic. The project will also remove traffic signals on the mainlanes and construct flyovers between US 290 and SH 71.
US 290 from Roger Hanks Parkway to Rob Shelton Boulevard Environmental Study - design is underway to upgrade the existing four-lane divided highway to a six-lane divided highway and include pedestrian and bicycle accommodations. Construction is funded and would begin no earlier than 2028.
US 290 Feasibility Study (from US 281 to RM 12 in Hays and Blanco counties) – TxDOT began the study in early 2024 to examine various potential improvements to enhance safety and meet future traffic demands. The study will establish an ultimate ROW footprint that could be used to provide setbacks for new developments.
RM 12 from RM 150 to RM 3238 Environmental Study – Based on public feedback, TxDOT will begin a new study later this year for safety and mobility improvements to this heavily traveled corridor. Some near-term improvements identified as part of this study could be constructed as part of the US 290 from Roger Hanks Parkway to Rob Shelton Boulevard project.

Email TxDOT Austin District

512-832-7060

P.O. Box 15426
Austin, TX 78761