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Nearly 1,700 addresses along SH 71 in Bastrop County could be renumbered as officials work to fix a confusing addressing system that they said could delay emergency response.

What’s happening: County documents estimate 1,697 addresses could be affected, including homes, businesses and other properties. County staff said technical flaws—such as odd and even numbers on the same side of the highway and irregular east-west labeling—create operational challenges and public safety concerns.

Why it matters: Allen Johnson, executive director of Bastrop County Emergency Services District No. 3 and a committee consulting partner, said SH 71 addressing is complicated and could send emergency teams to a location that "may be off by many miles."

Under consideration: A proposed fix would remove east-west directional prefixes and create one continuous SH 71 addressing sequence in Bastrop County, running from the 100 block at the Fayette County line to the 9000 block at the Travis County line.

What’s next: The committee is expected to meet in August or September to begin evaluating the corridor and developing solutions.

Bastrop County families navigating pregnancy, postpartum care and children’s health can access free or expanded services through local providers offering at-home nurse visits, pregnancy support and pediatric care.

1. Bastrop Family Connects offers free home visits: Bastrop County families with babies up to 12 weeks old can receive free at-home nurse visits and resources through Bastrop Family Connects, a partnership with Lone Star Circle of Care. Families can be seen at home, by phone or at the clinic.

2. Pathways debuts new name, more services: Bastrop Pregnancy Resource Center changed its name to Pathways Women & Family Center in February to reflect expanded services. The center offers free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds and application assistance for support services.

3. CommUnityCare expands pediatric, women’s care: CommUnityCare Health Centers expanded its Bastrop Health Center in April to include pediatric primary care alongside women’s health care. Services include well-child checkups, sports physicals, immunizations, screenings and same-day sick visits for newborns through teenagers.

Central Health opened a new center April 24 providing HIV care alongside pharmacy and lab services in Central Austin.

The big picture: The 90,000-square-foot Hancock Center space is the first phase of a 200,000-square-foot campus that will eventually serve as a new headquarters for the Travis County hospital district.

The details: The $150 million facility includes the David Powell Health Center—a Central Texas HIV care clinic that was formerly located off I-35. Additionally, patients may access a CommUnityCare pharmacy and lab services by Quest Diagnostics.

The new facility is located at the Hancock Center off East 41st Street and previously served as Austin's flagship Sears store, according to Central Health information.

Looking ahead: By 2027, the completed facility is planned to serve as Central Health's flagship headquarters, featuring:

• Expanded primary and specialty care services
• Administrative offices for Central Health, CommUnityCare Health Centers and Sendero Health Plans
• Central Health Board of Managers meeting space and community rooms

Over the past decade, neonatal intensive care unit expansions across Central Texas have widened access to specialized care for families in Northwest Austin and Williamson County. As the region continues to grow, hospitals and nonprofits are expanding services for parents navigating a NICU stay.

By the numbers: NICU admissions have risen nationwide, and Texas is no exception. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 9.7% of infants in Texas were admitted to a NICU in 2023, part of a larger upward trend between 2016 to 2023.

Of the state’s 24 Level IV NICUs—the highest level of neonatal care—Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas and St. David’s Medical Center are the only two such facilities located in the Austin area.

While local birth rates have surged, nonprofits supporting NICU families have noticed the growth as well. According to Kristin Coulter, CEO of the Ronald McDonald House Central Texas, the organization has had a waitlist for over six years.