Several road projects are underway throughout Hays County, funded through partnerships with regional cities and Certificates of Obligation, or COs. Here are some of the latest updates on upcoming and ongoing projects.

Upcoming projects
High Road Project: Road construction will widen the existing two-lane road to a four-lane divided roadway with a center turn lane and shoulders on both sides of the road. The project includes the design, right-of-way acquisition and utility coordination, but construction is not currently funded.

William Pettus Extension: William Pettus Road will be extended from FM 110 to SH 21, with coordination from Caldwell County. The project will include the design, right-of-way acquisition and utility coordination, but does not fund construction.

Ongoing project
Main Street and Firecracker Drive: A traffic signal will be installed at the Buda intersection. The installation of the signal is planned and funded as part of Buda’s Main Street East Expansion Project and an interlocal agreement with Hays County.

The newest piece of artwork was unveiled on Texas State University’s campus on April 25, strengthening the college’s growing commitment to public art and campus beautification.

The gist: “States Up,” a sculpture by Artist Nathan Mabry, was made possible by a gift from University President Kelly Damphousse and First Lady Beth Damphousse. The piece is a part of Mabry’s "Heavy Handed" series.

The sculpture celebrates the “States Up” gesture, school spirit and state pride while drawing on sign language and everyday symbols, according to a Texas State University news release.

The specifics: The outdoor installation is located near the Campus Recreation Center on Upper Bobcat Trail at Academy Street. Its spot in a high-traffic campus area offers students, staff and visitors the chance to regularly engage with the sculpture, according to the news release.

• Near the Texas State Campus Recreation Center

Check out some of the most read stories from the Austin area May 4-7. 

1. Road to relief: Drivers navigate construction along SH 71 as TxDOT continues $293M updates

2. Cedar Park unveils plan for major expansion of Lakeline Park

3. Thomas Ranch near Spicewood continues to progress on construction

4. Second HTeaO location opens in Georgetown

5. New playground, tennis, pickleball courts now open in Round Rock

6. Royal Blue Grocery moves closer to Mueller opening

Following pressure from summer camp operators, lawmakers and legislative leaders, Texas is suspending a requirement that all camps install “end-to-end” fiber-optic internet infrastructure before opening this summer.

The background: After catastrophic flooding in Central Texas killed more than 130 people—including 28 deaths at Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian camp—last July, state lawmakers passed a pair of laws designed to strengthen safety and emergency preparedness requirements for all Texas summer camps. One provision of the laws requires that camps install two types of broadband internet, including a fiber-optic system.

Nineteen camp operators sued the state over the fiber-optic rule in April, citing million-dollar installation fees and limited access to fiber-optic services in rural parts of Texas.

What's happening: The Department of State Health Services, which licenses youth camps, said it reached an agreement with the camp operators May 7. Under the agreement, Texas camps that maintain “redundant” broadband internet services—such as cellular, microwave or satellite technology—will not have their license revoked or denied as long as they meet all other safety requirements.