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Special session ends with some money for roads
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Surprisingly, the Texas House and Senate wrapped up the special session called by Gov. Rick Perry in two days. Five state agencies scheduled to go out of existence in September of this year were re-authorized to continue. The biggest of these were the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDoT) and the Texas Department of Insurance. The reauthorization was considered by most inevitable, but some of the other issues were more in doubt.
For Williamson County, the biggest issue in the session was the amount of money in bonds that the legislature would authorize TXDoT to issue. At sine die, or adjournment, the net effect was that statewide, the amount of bonds that can be issued is about $3 billion. Williamson County has been promised funds for several major road improvements. For the Round Rock and Southern Williamson County area, the extension of O’Connor Road from RM 620 to SH 45 has been in the works since 1999.It will relieve the traffic on RM 620, which, though called a Ranch to Market Road, is one of the most congested in the county. Originally, the extension was to be built at the same time as the SH 45 main lanes, but lack of environmental clearance put it on hold for several years. The county, with some federal funding, is paying for the road at a cost of approximately $12 million and the state has pledged to pay for the elevated interchange, at an estimated cost of $35-40 million. When TXDoT had a major shortfall in funds over the last two years, the money for the interchange was no longer available. However, Amadeo Saenz, executive director of TXDoT, promised the county that after the legislative session, he would find the money to build the interchange. So, now that the special session has ended, the county is looking to him and his agency to fund the project.
Politically speaking, this project and the others promised to the county are important because Williamson County could be a major player in the upcoming primary race in 2010 when Gov. Perry is expected to be challenged by U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. With the rapid growth in the county, voters have long stated in virtually every opinion poll that reducing traffic congestion is a top priority. If the state is unable to fund the road projects for another two years, it could be an issue in the primary and possibly the general election, when Rep. Diana Maldonado (D-Round Rock), whose district includes the O’Connor Road extension, is sure to be challenged by a Republican.
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