Steiner Ranch Neighborhood Association

2 weeks ago

Travis County has wrapped up the design phase for the “Route B” evacuation route for the Steiner area and is now conducting an open house to get your feedback. The open house runs through May 22. Please take the time to study the plan and provide your input:
steinerranchna.org/steiner-evac-open-house

Virtual Open House for Steiner Evacuation:
spark.adobe.com/page/mHMbpCmzkm1Ig/

COMMENTS: Accepted until May 22, 2020 via online comment form (click at end of open house) or mail to:
Travis County TNR
Attention: Katharine Hardin, P.E.
700 Lavaca
Austin, Texas 78701

The proposed construction ONLY adds a portion of the original “Route B” improvement that was recommended and approved back in 2017.

Under this current plan. Flat Top Ranch Rd. to Montview Dr. would be emergency only; however, there is no improvement along the route from Montview Dr. to RM620: Does this now constitute an evacuation route, an “evacuation portion”, or maybe “half an evacuation route”?

In the event Steiner Ranch needed to evacuate, the route appears to need at least some minimum improvements to be effective. Along Fritz Hughes Park Rd. there is a cattle guard at the low water crossing that is in poor shape and slows cars down to no more than 3mph (suv’s might fare better, but that doesn’t matter much when traffic will only move as fast as the slowest vehicles; during an emergency – time is of the essence).

Also, the low water crossing itself is perilously narrow and would not be safe for anything coming in (like a first responder vehicle or large equipment) while traffic is going out. None of these shortcomings are being addressed by the County’s current plan.

Are you comfortable with this path’s ability to save your loved ones, children, and grandchildren in the event of a large wildfire? West Austin is the #5 at risk metro area in the nation for a big fire and Steiner is right in the middle of the highest risk areas. In the event of an evacuation, traffic from Steiner would need to actually get to RM620 along the route at a decent pace to be effective.

There is a significant and understandable sensitivity by neighbors along Fritz Hughes Park Rd. to any changes that would disturb area homes or properties or generally improve the nature of the roadway. There is no need to disturb area properties or violate these wishes in order to implement a minimum set of improvements for safe passage along this route.

We are also still missing clear public education on how an evacuation would take place and how to be informed in the event of an evacuation emergency. These were cited as part of the consulting project with the County originally, and these elements should still be addressed before this project is concluded.

Read and see more at the link below -
steinerranchna.org/steiner-evac-open-house ...

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Steiner Ranch Neighborhood Association

1 month ago

CAMPO IH-35 funding to take roadway fixes away from west Austin metro: All RM620 and many Loop 360 projects proposed for significant delay.

steinerranchna.org/campo-ih35-funding-rm620-impacts/

CAMPO is proposing to pull back funding for all previously approved RM620 projects and a significant number of Loop 360 projects. These deferrals and others will provide $600 million to help the state close the funding gap for their top priority project: IH-35. This includes deferral / pull-back of the recently approved overpasses at Anderson Mill Rd and RM620 last May.

Here is what you can do now to help ensure RM620 remains a priority and that our critical projects do not get further delayed:

1. Complete and share the CAMPO 2045 survey: this is done every 5 years and will impact future funding priorities for RM620 for years to come. It only takes a few minutes to express your support for RM620 – please help spread the word:
www.campo2045.org/survey

2. Familiarize yourself with the issues and contact CAMPO directly:
a. Read our summary messaging doc to familiarize yourself w/ the CAMPO issues / considerations steinerranchna.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/RM620-CAMPO-Input-April-2020.pdf
b. The summary from (a) was developed together with inputs from other neighborhoods / stakeholders in the RM620 corridor (including River Place and Canyon Creek, WACC), if you have stakeholder contacts or other neighborhoods who want to sign on or add their voice, please do reach out (steinerranchna@gmail.com)
c. Then reach out to CAMPO: Send feedback to the CAMPO Policy Board (TPB): www.campotexas.org/transportation-policy-board/
see link at top of page for a list of emails.

CAMPO will hold its next meeting Monday, April 20 to decide on the $600 million deferral, so please provide input before then.

See this link for more information: steinerranchna.org/campo-ih35-funding-rm620-impacts/

NOTE: we are working together as a corridor (multiple neighborhoods, etc.) to develop a unified view of this challenge; if you have ideas how to augment the view or want to add your voice, please reach out so we can work together as a unified coalition (steinerranchna@gmail.com). ...

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