Read about three transportation updates in New Braunfels.

Completed
Divine Way Rehabilitation Project
Project: The roadway’s mill and overlay and asphalt was replaced. Ramps were also reconstructed to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Update: Construction was completed March 27, according to an email from city officials.

Ongoing
Common Street (Loop 337 to FM 306)
Project: The project looks to improve regional connectivity between Loop 337 and FM 306 by widening Common Street to a four-line road with sidewalks and adding new traffic signals at major intersections. There will also be traffic signal changes between Loop 337 and Gruene Road, the email states.
Update: The project has been designed. Right-of-way acquisition and utility coordination has begun.

A hospice care provider is celebrating five years of serving the New Braunfels community this summer.

Embrace Hospice is celebrating its five-year anniversary in June, Embrace Hospice Community Liaison Kayla Lobello said.

“We’re excited to be in the New Braunfels community and helping the people here,” Lobello said.

Learn more: Embrace Hospice provides end-of-life care and is contracted by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to offer care to veterans, Lobello said. Embrace Hospice has four other locations in Austin, San Antonio, Kerrville and Temple.

• 642 Comal Ave., New Braunfels

San Marcos crews began installing a new city marker along S. I-35, San Marcos, highlighting aspects of the community’s identity.

The gist: The city’s first-ever gateway sign is taking shape along the Texas Department of Transportation’s, or TxDOT, right-of-way. City crews will continue to install stonework, landscaping and lighting to complete the signage.

The marker’s design is consistent with existing wayfinding and park signage in San Marcos, featuring colors and materials inspired by the area’s natural surroundings, including:

• flowing river currents
• wild rice
• limestone from area riverbanks and Hill Country vistas

Texas officials released a draft of their next state water plan in April, projecting that state and local governments will need to spend $174 billion in the next 50 years to prevent a water crisis.

The details: The three-member Texas Water Development Board voted April 16 to publish an initial draft of the 2027 State Water Plan, laying out what is needed to prepare for a future “drought of record,” when water demands are highest and supplies are lowest.

The $174 billion price tag is more than twice the cost projected in Texas’ 2022 state water plan, which was $80 billion.

The context: As Texas’ population continues to grow, water restrictions and shortages are becoming more common in areas throughout the state. At the same time, major companies are moving to Texas and communities are contemplating large data center projects, with some residents expressing concerns about high water use in the already drought-prone state.

The proposed plan includes 3,000 proposed water management projects and 6,700 strategies to increase Texas' water supplies through 2080.