$45 Billion for What?

​$45 Billion for What? 
Would you like to spend $45 billion to make Austin-area traffic worse, drive more sprawl in all directions, and target the Barton Springs watershed with yet more pavement and pollution? 
We certainly don’t.  Yet that’s what you find in the draft long-range transportation plan just released for public comment, by CAMPO, the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. 
The public comment period on the draft transportation plan is open from now until April 13th.  We need your comments and participation in this process over the next 45 days.  
You can view a map of the proposed projects, read the draft plan, and take a survey here.
We are still digging into the draft, but here are a few major concerns that jump out right away:

• The draft plan calls for extending Escarpment Boulevard way down into central Hays County, crossing City of Austin Barton Springs water quality protection lands
•  The draft plan calls for new “loop” highways around the west side of San Marcos and around Dripping Springs, contemplating massive development in areas that voters have approved tens of millions of bond funds to protect.  
• The draft plan calls for converting FM 150 into a four-lane, divided, developer highway across Hays County and the Onion Creek watershed, from near Kyle to beyond Dripping Springs. 

There is much more to be said on this, in future messages, but don’t wait to follow the links above, review the project maps, and make initial comments. 
Mark your calendars for a Public Hearing on the draft plan April 6th, the comment deadline April 13th, and the CAMPO Policy Board vote on the plan expected on May 4th.