ATX-SWA: Impact 3/19/2026

Good Morning, Southwest Austin & Dripping Springs!

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Dripping Springs officials move forward with signs to improve navigation

The drive into and around Dripping Springs may soon look different.

Dripping Springs City Council approved the design and location of three new gateway monuments at a March 17 meeting.

Two of the signs will be located on Hwy. 290, and the other will be located on RM 12.

The big picture: The signs are planned to improve navigation, strengthen community identity and enhance the visitor experience, according to city documents.

The signs will be approximately 6 feet tall and 10 feet wide, and include lighting for night viewing.

Digging in deeper: Because the signs will be located in the Texas Department of Transportation right of way, the city administrator must negotiate and execute an agreement with TxDOT before construction begins.

How it’s funded: City officials anticipate using hotel occupancy tax revenue to fund the project.

What’s next: Pending TxDOT approval, the project will enter the bidding process for contractors. Bids will come back to city officials for final approval.

Stay In The Know

'Future of aviation': Air taxi testing coming to Austin under federal pilot program

Test flights for electric aviation services like air taxis will soon be taking off across the state, including in Austin, following the Texas Department of Transportation's selection for a Federal Aviation Administration pilot program this month.

The details: The federal initiative stems from a 2025 executive order from President Donald Trump to advance aviation systems including unmanned drones and electric vertical takeoff and landing, or eVTOL, aircraft. The FAA selected eight eVTOL pilot projects across the country under that order, including TxDOT's, which are now expected to kick off this summer.

TxDOT is partnering with four aviation companies to launch eVTOL air taxi flights and other services between Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston and smaller communities. The phased project is expected to start this year.

What else: While Austin developed its own proposal spearheaded by locally based LIFT Aircraft, that outline wasn't selected by the federal agency.

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Hays County Coverage

Check out recent government updates on water conservation from the Hays County area

Catch up on government news and updates from the Hays County region, including decisions surrounding water conservation.

1. Legal questions stall Hays County moratorium on water-heavy projects: Hays County Commissioners Court tabled agenda items related to emergency drought response, conservation and a development moratorium during a Feb. 24 meeting.

2. Hays County OKs water study amid severe drought: Hays County will get its first comprehensive water study since 2011 after a Hays County Commissioners Court decision at a Jan. 20 meeting. The study will help commissioners better understand current water conditions and plan for long-term sustainability that supports responsible water management.