Support Overpass at River Road

Comal County Engineer Tom Hornseth urges Canyon Lake residents to support county-related transportation projects at an upcoming public meeting sponsored by Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO).

The event is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28. at New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center, 375 S. Castell Avenue.

Discussion will focus on the possible inclusion of county-related projects on AAMPO’s short-term Transportation Improvement Plan, or TIP.

Among the improvements requested by Comal County is an overpass at River Road as part of the Loop 337 expansion project, estimated to cost about $10.4 million.

The project would relieve congestion at the intersection.

Loop 337 connects commercial hubs along the north end of New Braunfels, the growing west side and along the south end. A four-year road expansion project kicked off in November 2017. The $42.3 million project will create a divided roadway with two lanes of travel in each direction.

“The TIP lays out the priorities for transportation projects over the next four years, and public meetings are a crucial part of that process,” Hornseth says. He serves on the AAMPO’s Technical Advisory Board.

“One of the factors the MPO looks at is how engaged our residents are, so the more people who attend this public meeting, the better our chances of getting Comal County projects in the TIP,” Hornseth says.

The AAMPO allocates federal transportation funds to regional projects.

Overall, AAMPO has received 48 projects totaling $462 million for inclusion in the TIP, which is expected to schedule about $150 million in projects.

“Our ability to fund much-needed transportation projects in Comal County depends on the support of our residents,” says Precinct 3 County Commissioner Kevin Webb, who serves on the AAMPO Executive Committee and Transportation Policy Board. “We encourage everyone who can to attend AAMPO’s public meeting and let them know our projects are an important part of this region’s transportation needs.”

A Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is an agency created by federal law to provide local direction for urban transportation planning and the allocation of federal transportation funds to cities with populations greater than 50,000. There are about 400 MPOs across the country.

While most MPOs are part of a city, county or council of governments, the Alamo Area MPO is an independent agency.

The MPO’s mission is to provide a comprehensive, coordinated and continuous (“3C”) transportation planning process for the safe and efficient movement of people and goods, consistent with the region’s overall economic, social and environmental goals. The MPO places special emphasis on providing equal access to a variety of transportation choices and effective public involvement in the transportation planning process.

The Alamo Area MPO develops transportation plans and programs to address the needs of the greater San Antonio area. The Transportation Policy Board leads the MPO and decides how federal and state transportation funds will be allocated for the region.