‘It’s just not safe’: Neighbors advocate for RM 1826 expansion
HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Drivers have marveled at the gleaming temple in Hays County along Road to Market 1826 since 1995.
That’s where Michael Roberts has spent most of his time for the last two dozen years.
“It is open to the public. So anybody can come and enjoy the property and the temple,” he said.
Roberts said he’s in charge of events at the temple. Another role he has picked up over the years has been directing traffic when there’s a crash in front of it – which he said happens more than you might think.
“Over the last 10 or 15 years, with RM 1826 getting so busy, we’ve had our share of accidents. And the surrounding neighborhood has also experienced that too,” he said.
Roberts and others in the area formed the 1826 Neighborhoods Coalition in recent years to advocate for improvements along the road. And their advocacy paid off – the Texas Department of Transportation began conducting a feasibility study in the summer of 2022.
On Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., TxDOT will host a virtual public meeting with an in-person option for the study. The virtual meeting can be found at TxDOT.gov and the in-person option will be at the Real Life Church, 13701 RM 1826 in Austin.
“This was a community-driven project,” said Antonio Lujan, a spokesperson for TxDOT. “All of this feedback is super important for us – so that we can go back to the drawing table and ensure we provide designs that are the best and most viable options for this roadway.”
Lujan said TxDOT could have potential designs by as soon as 2025.
“None of us wanted to have a four-lane highway in front of us. But if it’s going to be safer – and it will be – then that’s what we need,” said Bill Brock, who helped form the coalition.
He said it has gotten to the point that he and his family don’t feel safe driving along the road.
“If you look at the data, the congestion is getting worse every year. It’s getting so bad that residents who live out here are nervous about getting onto the road,” Brock said. “It’s just not safe.”
Brock said he is now advocating that the project get started as soon as possible.
“[We’re] asking for a timeline to be speeded up,” he said. “If it’s a four-lane road, then it’s going to be a lot safer.”
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