US 281 - Lampasas to Evant
Project overview
US 281 is a heavily traveled north-south roadway listed on the National Highway System and TxDOT Freight Network. US 281 is relied upon daily by local travelers, trucking industries and as an alternative to traveling I-35. US 281 is the longest continuous three-digit United States Highway route, spanning 1,875 miles from the Texas' Rio Grande valley northward to the Canada border.
Due to increasing congestion along US 281 within Lampasas and Coryell counties, TxDOT's Brownwood District is proposing to expand US 281 by adding two travel lanes in either a northbound or southbound direction and separating the additional lanes from the existing travel lanes with a grassy median. This project is located between the city of Lampasas and the city of Evant.
Project description
The proposed project includes the following:
- Widen US 281 between US 183 (Lampasas) and US 84 (Evant) in Lampasas and Coryell Counties with two additional travel lanes for a total of four lanes.
- Improve safety by separating traffic with a grassy median.
- Add crossovers along US 281 within the project to facilitate access to both sides of the highway. Exact crossover locations have not yet been determined.
The purpose of the project is to help reduce congestion by constructing additional travel lanes, improve safety by separating north and southbound travel lanes with a grassy median and upgrading other safety appurtenances (guard rail, sloped end treatments of culverts, widened shoulders, etc.), and improve mobility. The project spans approximately 28 miles and will require additional right of way adjacent to the existing corridor (acreage to be determined pending final design); and any displacements have been identified.
Schedule
The schematic phase of the project begins in winter 2023 and the current milestone schedule is as follows:
- Environmental clearance: spring 2025
- Finalize construction plans: fall 2027
- Construction contract awarded: spring 2028
- Begin Construction: summer 2028
- Construction estimated duration: TBD
Get involved
A critical element in achieving a successful project is public and stakeholder engagement. These improvements are based on various factors, including the minimization of potential impacts to natural and cultural resources. The US 281 project will include public meetings as well as involvement with other agencies and organizations and members of the community. The public will be invited to provide their input in a variety of ways.
- Virtual open house with in-person option on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023
- Virtual open house with in-person option on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023
- Virtual open house with in-person option on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 - POSTPONED
- Virtual open house with in-person option on Thursday, July 27, 2023 - POSTPONED
- Virtual open house with in-person option on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023
- Virtual open house with in-person option on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023
- Adamsville stakeholder meeting on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024
- Virtual open house with in-person options - Monday, April 22, 2024
- Virtual open house with in-person options - Tuesday, April 30, 2024
We also invite the public to view the Jan. 25, 2023, Texas Transportation Commission meeting video, in which the Texas Trunk System is highlighted near the beginning of the agenda, after welcome and safety briefing (4:30). As a key corridor, in the Texas Trunk System, US 281 was discussed at the meeting.