A drawn-out, polarizing political battle that has kept anxious observers on the edges of their seats could be effectively settled for good on Tuesday. The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority announced on Monday that crews could begin construction on the controversial State Highway 45 Southwest project this week. Travis County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty, perhaps the […]
Save Our Springs Alliance (SOS)
An advocacy organization. According to its web site, Save Our Springs “works to protect the Edwards Aquifer, its springs and contributing streams, and the natural and cultural heritage of the Hill Country region and its watersheds, with special emphasis on Barton Springs.”
Posted inCourts
SOS loses bid for MoPac injunction
On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel declined to issue a preliminary injunction that would have prevented the beginning of construction on State Highway 45 Southwest. The judge ruled that the Save Our Springs Alliance and other plaintiffs in the lawsuit had failed to prove their case. He ruled that the toll road – which […]
Posted inRoads
TxDOT can’t participate in Balcones permit program
An official with the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan has informed the Texas Department of Transportation that the department is not allowed to participate in the BCCP permit in conjunction with its work on State Highway 45 Southwest. Carlos Swonke, director of the Environmental Affairs Division of TxDOT, sent a letter in late July to Kimberlee […]
Posted inCourts
MoPac construction causing environmental anxiety
Construction has not yet begun, but already the Save Our Springs Alliance, the Save Barton Creek Association and the citizens who filed suit against the Texas Department of Transportation and the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority over the expansion and segmented building of MoPac South and State Highway 45 Southwest can point to possible damage […]
Posted inTransportation
CTRMA goes shopping for partner to build SH 45 SW
The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority on Tuesday took another major step toward the construction of a highly controversial road project in southwestern Travis County. With a vote of 6-0, its board of directors directed CTRMA staff to start shopping for bids from contractors interested in building State Highway 45 Southwest. Director Bob Bennett, a […]
Posted inCourts
Two environmental groups plan to sue TxDOT
The Center for Biological Diversity and the Save Our Springs Alliance have notified the Texas Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration that they intend to file suit against the agencies for approving the so-called MoPac Intersections project without consulting with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which oversees protection of endangered species. According […]
Posted inEnvironment
Austin mourns environmentalist Mary Gay Maxwell
Members of Austin’s environmental community were in mourning Thursday after learning of the death of Environmental Commission Chair Mary Gay Maxwell. According to Department of Public Safety Trooper Robbie Barrera, Maxwell died Wednesday afternoon after being involved in a head-on collision outside of Smithville after her car crossed over the median on Highway 71. Maxwell’s […]
Posted inTravis County
Travis County courts controversy with CTRMA appointment
Sparks flew at Travis County Commissioners Court on Tuesday over the reappointment of Charles Heimsath to serve on the board that supervises regional toll road projects. The 3-2 decision poured cold water on a late-hour effort that bubbled up last week to sink Heimsath’s quest for a new term at the Central Texas Regional Mobility […]
Posted inCourts
Save Our Springs sues toll road agency again
The Save Our Springs Alliance filed suit on Tuesday against the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, seeking information that the agency has refused to release concerning a traffic and revenue study on the proposed MoPac South toll lanes. According to SOS, “The agency refused to release the traffic study, claiming it was ‘draft’ internal policymaking, […]
Posted inResources, Water
Aquifer district ends six-year dispute with Kyle
Board members with the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District wrapped up a six-year dispute with the City of Kyle on Thursday night at their regular meeting, pending a few issues. “This means we can move on,” said John Dupnik, general manager with the district. He commented that everyone had spent “entirely too long on the matter” anyway. The […]
Posted inRoads, Travis County
County Commissioners maintain toll appointment
An ordinary appointment to the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority Board of Directors during Monday’s Travis County Commissioner Court meeting turned into a debate over transparency and the economic burden of toll roads. Commissioners voted 4-0, with one abstention, to reappoint Nikelle Meade to the seven-member board that oversees the agency in charge of building […]
Posted inAustin, Environment, Roads, Transportation, Travis County
Conservation District delays vote on SH45 SW agreement
Representatives of the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District voted to put off a decision on an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation that is intended to provide greater environmental protection for the construction of State Highway 45 Southwest. District residents, civic organizations and representatives of Austin and Travis County urged the aquifer district board […]