The city of New Braunfels is planning to update its 2012 Regional Transportation Plan, known as the Thoroughfare Plan, with hopes of easing strain on existing infrastructure and shifting resources to roadways more aligned with projected population data.

During a Nov. 4. New Braunfels City Council meeting, Deputy City Manager Jordan Matney and Transportation and Construction Services Director Garry Ford updated City Council on some of the possible changes to the plan, which include additions, removals and changes to right of way plans.

The overview: The 2012 plan was coordinated with the city of Seguin, Comal and Guadalupe counties, the Alamo Area Metropolitan Organization and the Texas Department of Transportation. The Thoroughfare Plan identifies major existing and proposed roadways within the city limits and the extraterritorial jurisdiction and serves as a comprehensive document to help the city guide growth, preserve rights of way, and plan for future transportation needs.

The plan update is using new data and public feedback to account for new projections of future needs for the city.

The number of New Braunfels homes sold increased in the 78132 ZIP code but decreased in the 78130 ZIP code year over year in October, according to the most recent data compiled by the Four Rivers Association of Realtors.

Learn more: The average price of homes listed for sale in the two New Braunfels ZIP codes over the past six months was in the $364,000-$579,000 range. 

In October, the majority of homes sold in the 78130 ZIP code.

• Timeline: October 2024-November 2025
• Cost: $5.31 million
• Funding source: city sales tax

Texas’ power grid will likely remain stable in December and January, recent reports from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas show. However, grid conditions could become tight if a winter storm hits large swaths of Texas, driving up demand for electricity.

The overview: ERCOT, which operates the electric grid for 90% of Texas, found in a Nov. 7 report that there should be “sufficient generating capacity available” to serve customers throughout January.

ERCOT forecasts that the tightest period this winter will be from 7-8 a.m. daily, when little to no solar power is being produced. During that time, ERCOT found the chances of a grid emergency are 1.81% in December and 1.4% in January.

More details: If a severe winter storm causes demand on the Texas grid to near record levels, there is a roughly 35% chance of a grid emergency in December and a less than 10% chance in January, ERCOT reported. Texans last experienced a grid emergency in September 2023, and the grid withstood three cold snaps in early 2025.