ATX-BAS: Impact 10/8/2025

The Central Texas Regional Mobile Authority is planning for a 290 Extension Project—improvements that would reduce congestion between Hwy. 130 and Hwy. 95 South. 

The details: The Mobility Authority is working with the Texas Department of Transportation on a schematic design and an environmental study with other partners, including: 

• Travis County 
• Bastrop County 
• City of Manor 
• City of Elgin 
• Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

Firehouse Subs will bring its signature hot sandwiches to Bastrop—a project that will mark the brand’s latest expansion into Central Texas.

In a nutshell: Located inside the Burleson Crossing shopping center, the 1,500-square-foot construction project is estimated to cost $300,000 and began in mid-August, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

Some background: Firehouse Subs will be located alongside several other upcoming and newly opened businesses and eateries in the Burleson Crossing shopping center, including:

• Chipotle Mexican Grill
• Sprouts Farmers Market
• LongHorn Steakhouse
• Jeremiah’s Italian Ice

• Burleson Crossing, 707 Hwy. 71 W., Ste. 118, Bastrop

Austin Community College is aiming to meet a growing demand for dental hygienists in Central Texas through an expanded dental hygiene clinic.

What's happening: ACC officials celebrated the opening of the newly renovated space at the ACC Eastview Campus with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 1. Through the facility, ACC is projected to nearly double the dental hygiene program’s enrollment and provide affordable dental care to more community members, said Michelle Landrum, ACC Dental Hygiene department chair.

The details: Since 2003, ACC’s two-year program has trained students to become dental hygienists through hands-on work experience at its on-site dental clinic. The new 13,800-square-foot dental hygiene facility has increased the number of operatories from 16 to 32, allowing students to treat more patients.

The highly competitive ACC program has now increased its annual cohorts from 18 to 34 students.

What they're saying: “Across Texas, dentists are having a very difficult time treating all of their patients because there are just not enough dental hygienists,” said Dr. Shailee Gupta, local dentist and member of Capital Area Dental Society.

From Oct. 13-19, Texas residents will not have to pay to apply to in-state public colleges and universities.

The details: During Free College Application Week, application fees will be waived for all Texas residents applying to undergraduate programs at public colleges and universities located in Texas. First-time college students, transfer students and students returning to school are eligible, according to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

To qualify for the fee waiver, all applications must be submitted through ApplyTexas, the state’s college application portal.

What they're saying: “Texas prioritizes opportunities for students to pursue the best education they need to succeed in high demand, good-paying jobs after graduation,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in an Aug. 29 news release. “By supporting our students today, we are investing in a stronger Texas tomorrow.” 

Put in perspective: Most high school seniors apply to 5-10 colleges or universities and each application costs about $60-$75, state lawmakers estimated in June.