The Texas Department of Transportation broke ground Oct. 28 on a $58.5 million project that will add a grade-separated overpass and new one-way frontage roads to an existing signalized intersection at Tucker Hill Lane and Hwy. 71.  

What they're saying: “Hwy. 71 serves as a major corridor for drivers traveling to and from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the city of Bastrop and other Central Texas communities,” TxDOT said in a news release. “With continued growth in Travis and Bastrop counties, TxDOT is improving Hwy. 71 to enhance safety and address congestion by eliminating signalized intersections.”

The details: Jeffrey Barker, a spokesman with TxDOT, told Community Impact in an email that the project will be funded through the Texas State Highway Fund and constructed by Texas-based Jordan Foster Construction. 
 

Learn about recent development news in Bastrop County, including an expansion of the SpaceX facility, a solar farm being built across 900 acres and a planned development with housing and food options.

SpaceX is expanding its footprint in Bastrop: The facility at 858 FM 1209 in Bastrop will soon add 80,000 square feet to its existing office space—an estimated $8 million in upgrades, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

Waterloo Solar farm coming to Bastrop County: Construction is underway on RWE Clean Energy’s Waterloo Solar farm. The development, which broke ground in March, would add to the German company’s portfolio of more than 170 operational facilities in the United States.

Crossings at 95 development planned for Bastrop: Developers with Iron Realty are aiming to build dozens of residential units and multiunit townhomes, as well as a 4,000-square-foot restaurant in Bastrop. Developers said they are seeking a planned development district designation to better partner with the city.
 

A state-led homeless encampment clearing operation in Austin has seen dozens of people relocated or arrested, Gov. Greg Abbott said, while city officials pushed back on Texas' "show of force" and a lack of local coordination.

The details: The state initiative is taking place under both local and state law that bans camping in public and has involved the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Department of Transportation, Texas State Guard and Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Zooming in: While state leaders promoted the results of their efforts so far, city leaders said the operation expanded without warning this week. They criticized a lack of notice from the state, said the response ended up duplicating Austin's own encampment management work, and worried it won't result in more residents permanently moving off the streets.

Some context: The Texas operation was announced as the city advances its own, separate, encampment and resource program ahead of the winter season and anticipated severe weather.

Texas homeowners could see larger property tax breaks on this year’s bills if voters approve two state propositions on the Nov. 4 ballot.

The details: Proposition 13 would raise the property tax exemption on a Texas homeowner’s main residence, known as a homestead exemption, from $100,000 to $140,000. Proposition 11 would give homeowners who are over 65 years old or have a disability a $200,000 exemption.

The exemptions would apply only to taxes charged by public schools.

The impact: Sen. Paul Bettencourt, the Houston Republican who authored the legislation, estimated in June that the average Texas homeowner would see about $484 in annual savings if the tax cuts are approved by voters, with roughly $950 in savings for seniors and people with disabilities. These estimates do not account for potential tax rate increases by local governments.

If voters approve the two ballot measures, the cuts will take effect for the current tax year and appear on homeowners’ upcoming tax bills, according to the Texas House Research Organization.

The overview: As Community Impact enters its third decade, it’s returning to its roots of growth and deeper reader connections. The “Patron” program, which began in 2020 by reader demand, has relaunched as the InCIder.

“This relaunch represents our renewed commitment to readers who support our local news,” CEO John Garrett said. “Beyond funding great journalism, we also want to reward our InCIders and build deeper connections with them, creating a true sense of community around the work we do.”

Event details: As part of the relaunch, Community Impact will host its first-ever InCIder Hour, a new event aimed at celebrating and engaging the company’s supporters.

The event, open to InCIders only, will take place Nov. 12 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Community Impact Headquarters, 16225 Impact Way, Pflugerville.

Guests will have the opportunity to network with fellow InCIders, meet Community Impact staff and attend a featured conversation with legislative reporter Hannah Norton, moderated by Garrett.

“Our first event needed to start where all the hard work is put together,” Garrett said. “People are blown away when they see our operation. To be able to sit and chat with the best legislative reporter in Texas, Hannah Norton, makes it an event our InCIder friends deserve and hopefully will enjoy.”