Road and bridge projects for Freestone County were presented during a virtual public meeting last week, including the installation of right turn lanes proposed for Highway 84 at FM 489 in the Butler community.
The Bryan District Rural Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) public meeting for the 2025-2028 Program was held on Friday, May 31, 2024.
In this special meeting, held virtually, attendees learned about projects to be included in the upcoming program.
Counties included in the Bryan District are Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Freestone, Leon, Madison, Milam, Robertson, Walker, and Washington.
Rural TIP is a list of local projects to be funded in a TxDOT District over the next four (4) years. This means that all projects included in the list are expected to be underway within four (4) years following its approval.
It can include projects relating to highways, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, transit services, and freight projects as well as the preliminary studies used to define those projects.
Rural TIP is meant to show regional agreement on the need and priority of a transportation project, so all parties involved can be sure they are making the best investment for the community. It is also expected to be consistent with the projects and objectives included in the regional Long Range Transportation Plans, to ensure that all agencies are working towards the same goal.
Rural TIP is part of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). Because the program rules are established by Federal law, no project can receive federal funding unless it is listed in the Rural TIP!
Rural TIP functions as a budgeting tool for the district. Funds can come from the Federal Government (through the Federal Highway and Transit Administrations), TxDOT (through its Unified Transportation Program funding categories), and Local Governments (who may be required to provide matching funds for federal monies).
Freestone County projects mostly include replacing bridges, with a couple of other projects, listed below:
-–Replace Existing Bridges: FM 80 at Cat Creek, FM 80 at Tehuacana Creek, FM 1580 at Mims Creek, FM 489 at Bobs Creek, FM 489 at Linn Creek, FM 489 at Cedar Creek, and FM 489 at Sanders Creek Relief
–Bridge rehab including Crash Wall installation: IH 45 at CR 660
–Add Right Turn Lanes: US 84 from 0.2 miles East of FM 489 to 0.2 miles West of FM 489
Rural TIP is asking for comments from the public. They will be accepted through Monday, June 17, 2024.
You may submit your comments by email to BRY_RTIP@txdot.gov.
To review the full presentation script and a list of all projects in the Bryan District, visit www.txdot.gov and keyword search ‘2025-2028 Bryan District Rural TIP.’
