As the rapid growth in the Lake Travis area continues, there’s a new traffic study on the horizon that’s stressing out some Lakeway residents.
The approved traffic study was discussed at the recent Lakeway City Council Meeting. Because the entire traffic study is public information, members of the public started reading it. And, of course, posting their thoughts in discussion forums.
Let’s take a peek at what this study means and what you can do about it.
Why it’s causing a stir
If you take a look at the list of roadways that will be evaluated, you’ll see many of them are in quiet Lakeway neighborhoods. Let’s take Clubhouse Drive, for example, a gorgeous street off of Lakeway Blvd. with a combination of older and newer homes nestled along Yaupon golf course. It’s a beautiful neighborhood, secluded and quiet with lots of green space.
If you follow Clubhouse towards the back of the neighborhood, you notice it doesn’t officially connect to Clara Van. Clara Van is the street at the traffic signal on 620 by the Lexus Dealership.
Wait a minute.
Does this plan have something to do with removing that gate to connect Clubhouse to Clara Van via Montalcino Blvd?
Well, we don’t know, but hypothetically speaking, this is when you’d have a panic attack if you live in that neighborhood.
Now think about Serene Hills from Flintrock to Lakeway Blvd. If you travel that road frequently, you know it definitely can’t handle the current traffic flow, let alone more cars. It’s a bumpy, curvy mess that is white-knuckle frightening in the dark due to the lack of lights and the plethora of critters. Not to mention, people blow through the stop sign at Flintrock.
Then there’s Birrell and the bevy of speed bumps and cut-thru traffic in that shopping center. Can’t. Even.
Roads outlined in the traffic study:
In the newly approved traffic study, these are the roadways described in the scope of the project:
- Serene Hills from Flintrock to Lakeway Blvd.
- Flintrock from dead-end to Bee Creek (or Extension of Flintrock to Bee Creek Road)
- Main Street between 620 & Lohman’s
- Lohmans Spur from Lohmans to Main Street
- Medical Drive from Birrell to Lohmans
- Clubhouse to Clara Van connection
- Clara Van to Meadowlark connection
- Farris Drive from Gebron to Meadowlark
- O’Reilly & Pyramid between the two schools
- North to South running Shared Use Path
- Additional sidewalk gaps within the City
As further explained in the study, “The evaluation process will be designed with a dynamic and flexible approach that can take into consideration the differences in evaluating long-term versus short-term improvements as well as evaluating system maintenance and preservation projects versus capacity improvements.”
Why they were picked
According to officials, citizens have previously expressed safety concerns about many of these roadways — or expressed doubts about roads that will be impacted — so that’s why they made the list.
What you need to know if you’re worried
The traffic study has been approved, but neighbors should know it has not taken place yet. Therefore, no recommendations have been made.
This is all prepping for the possibility of a $5 million bond election that could take place in May 2020. In case you missed it, you can drill down into the dollars and cents here.
What’s next …
According to the proposed timeline, an official report won’t be submitted until February 2020. Before that date, they will solicit input from the community at various points in time, so stay tuned to the City of Lakeway for updates and a dedicated webpage with more details. An open house will be held too, where the consultants will explain the proposed solutions.
Are you a Lake Travis resident or business impacted by cut-thru traffic woes? Let us know in the comments section on our Facebook page.
