San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce and Hays Caldwell Economic Development Partnership leaders joined state and regional transportation officials Tuesday for an Infrastructure Summit luncheon focused on managing rapid growth and leveraging strategic partnerships to keep Central Texas moving forward.
The event opened with welcoming remarks from Will Conley of American Structurepoint and Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra, who emphasized the importance of collaboration between local governments and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Summer Lawton with HNTB addressed attendees as the presenting sponsor.
The keynote speaker, Steven Alvis, Texas Transportation Commissioner, underscored a central theme of the summit: Building Strategic Partnerships with TXDOT, and that growth in Texas is inevitable – but managing it wisely is optional.
“You don’t get the Tesla unless you create good housing for all the employees and keep that housing affordable,” Alvis said, noting that communities must proactively master growth plan. He encouraged local officials to use tools available to them – including special-purpose districts and public improvement districts – to prepare for the expansion already underway across the state.
“Growth is going to come whether you manage it or not,” Alvis said. “It’s up to us to manage it and make it happen.”
Fireside chat focuses on regional innovation
Alvis then participated in a moderated “fireside chat” led by Conley, joined by Charles Benavidez, TXDOT San Antonio District Engineer, and Tucker Ferguson, TXDOT Austin District Engineer.
Ferguson highlighted the Austin District’s proactive approach to infrastructure planning, praising both Hays and Williamson counties for investing early and strategically in transportation projects.
“It is such a privilege to be leading the Austin District,” Ferguson said. “We’re engineers by training – we like fixing things and being involved in solutions.”
He noted that Williamson County has invested approximately $1.5 billion across three bond cycles since 2013, leveraging nearly $200 million in additional state and federal funds. Hays County has similarly committed more than $600 million since 2016 toward projects that include improvements to I-35 and key farm-to-market roads.
One example frequently cited was the expansion of FM 3349 and U.S. 79 in Williamson County – a project that Ferguson said helped position Taylor as the chosen site for Samsung’s massive semiconductor facility.
“That kind of partnership – getting out in front of growth and working with TxDOT – attracts major private investment,” Ferguson said.
FM 110: A Local Success Story
Closer to home, leaders highlighted the transformative impact of FM 110 in San Marcos. Conley reflected on the Transportation Reinvestment Zone (TRZ) created through collaboration between Hays County and the City of San Marcos.
“That is the only way we were able to partner together and build FM 110 in this community,” Conley said.
The corridor has since spurred significant economic development, including a major Amazon distribution facility employing thousands and generating substantial tax revenue for local schools and services.
“It’s working,” Conley said. “Almost too well.”
Officials noted that continued investment in FM 110 – including future lanes and overpasses – will be critical as traffic increases on the east side of San Marcos.
I-35 remains top priority
Ferguson also provided an update on the ongoing transformation of Interstate 35 through Central Texas. More than $2 billion in projects are currently under construction, including the North, Central, and South segments in the Austin area.
The Central segment through downtown Austin will ultimately be delivered in nine construction packages, with several already underway. The projects aim is to increase person-carrying capacity by adding managed lanes and modernizing interchanges.
Despite the breadth of needs across the region, Ferguson acknowledged that I-35 remains the top funding priority for both TxDOT and regional planners.
Regional impact extends to San Antonio
Benavidez emphasized the transformational impact of the I-35 Northeast Expansion (NEX) project in the San Antonio District, describing it as a “regional expressway” that will improve mobility between San Antonio and surrounding communities, including San Marcos.
“It unlocks accessibility,” Benavidez said, noting the project will reshape how residents live and work across the corridor.
A call to partnership
Commissioner Alvis closed the discussion by reiterating Texas’ competitive edge in attracting business investment, citing ongoing corporate expansions in Dallas and across the state.
“You’ve got to step out and take the risk,” Benavidez said. “We are the most attractive state to move your company to.”
He encouraged local leaders to continue preparing sites, acquiring right-of-way, and coordinating early with TxDOT to maximize opportunities for state and federal funding.
“We all thank you for putting this together,” Benavidez said. “Let’s all work together to make this great Texas miracle continue to grow.”
The summit concluded with recognition of TxDOT staff and a shared commitment among regional partners to continue “blocking and tackling” together as growth accelerates across Hays, Caldwell, and the broader Central Texas region.
Lessons from the field: How Major Projects Get Done
Conley then brought together four transportation leaders representing county and municipal perspectives:
Cynthia Long – Williamson County Commissioner
Morgan Hammer – Hays County Commissioner
Ed Theriot – Caldwell County Commissioner
Mike Trimble – City of Kyle Director of Transportation and Public Works
Conley noted the panel’s intentional diversity – representing a mature 25-year county program, a 20-year growing partnership, a newly launched bond program, and a rapidly expanding municipality.
Williamson County: Plan Early, Preserve Corridors
Commissioner Long reflected on more than two decades of transportation planning in Williamson County, including more than $2.5 billion in voter-approved bonds.
A turning point, she said, was the former TxDOT pass-through financing program, which allowed local governments to front the money on state facilities and receive reimbursement over time. That partnership jump-started Williamson County’s ability to move projects forward.
She emphasized a key lesson: right-of-way preservation.
“The dirt is not getting cheaper,” Long said. “We’d rather buy dirt than dirt with a building on it.”
Williamson County aggressively adopted and implemented a long-range transportation plan – becoming the first county to have its plan formally accepted by TxDOT – and identified major corridors decades before full buildout.
Long acknowledged that planning future corridors can be politically difficult.
“When you lay a road across someone’s long-held family property, you have to sit down face-to-face. You can’t delegate that conversation,” she said. “But if the growth never comes, the road never gets built. We’re planning for the future.”
She credited strong professional staff and regional collaboration through CAMPO as essential components of the county’s long-term success.
Hays County: Think Beyond Jurisdictional Lines
Commissioner Hammer, now one year into office, offered the perspective of stepping into an established $440 million bond program containing 30 projects.
“As a county commissioner, I once asked why we don’t just focus on county roads,” Hammer said. “But residents don’t ask whether it’s a city, county, or state road. They just want to get where they’re going safely.”
Hammer emphasized the importance of partnering with TxDOT to accelerate projects and leverage advanced technology and funding opportunities. She cited safety improvements such as sidewalks along FM 2325 in Wimberley – allowing children to walk to school safely – and major intersection upgrades like the RM 150/3237 roundabout near Hays City Store.
“No one knows your community better than your locally elected officials,” Hammer said. “It would be a disservice not to partner and look at every funding tool available.”
She also stressed responsible planning, noting infrastructure must balance mobility, public safety, and environmental stewardship.
Caldwell County: Building a Program from the Ground Up
Commissioner Theriot described Caldwell County’s transformation from a rural ranching community into one experiencing rapid growth – particularly along SH 130 and key state corridors.
With limited land-use authority granted to counties by the Legislature, Caldwell adopted a two-pronged approach: proactively negotiate development agreements and launch a comprehensive transportation program.
In early 2024, the county initiated public forums and stakeholder outreach, resulting in its first-ever Capital Improvements Program. From that effort, 32 projects were selected for a $150 million bond election in November 2024.
The projects ranged widely:
Bridge replacements and low-water crossings
Rural safety improvements
Preliminary engineering for major state highway expansions
Urban corridor upgrades
By focusing on transparency and ensuring projects were distributed across all precincts, the bond passed with nearly 70 percent approval.
“It exceeded anything I imagined,” Theriot said.
The effort, he noted, demonstrated the importance of public engagement and regional coordination with municipalities and TxDOT.
City of Kyle: Invest Locally, Partner Regionally
Trimble described Kyle’s explosive growth – from fewer than 5,000 residents in 2000 to nearly 80,000 today – and the city’s commitment to proactively investing in infrastructure.
Since launching a dedicated transportation department one year ago, the city now has approximately $400 million in infrastructure projects under construction in 2026, including roughly $200 million in road projects.
“This is the year of construction,” Trimble said.
Kyle is also developing a new Transportation Master Plan to guide its next phase of investment.
A key project is the extension of College Street across Interstate 35 – creating a critical east-west underpass connection. Trimble emphasized that while the region has historically invested heavily in north-south mobility, east-west connectivity is equally vital.
Another major effort is the Kohlers Crossing railroad overpass, a multi-agency partnership involving the city, Hays County, and TxDOT. The project will relocate a rail siding that currently disrupts downtown traffic and construct a grade-separated crossing to improve safety and mobility.
“Invest locally, partner regionally,” Trimble said. “When you show TxDOT you’re willing to make the investment, they’re willing to meet you at the table.”
A shared theme: Delivery Matters
Throughout the summit, one word surfaced repeatedly: delivery.
Panelists emphasized that passing bonds is only the beginning. Successful programs require:
Strong internal teams (engineering, purchasing, legal, IT, auditing)
Private-sector consulting partnerships
Regional coordination through CAMPO
Active engagement with TxDOT
Public transparency
Officials noted that voter confidence grows when projects are executed efficiently and visibly.
Moving forward together
The summit concluded with recognition of the numerous public and private partners working across the Austin–San Antonio corridor to address the unprecedented growth.
From right-of-way preservation in Williamson County, to mature partnerships in Hays County, to Caldwell County’s first transportation bond, to Kyle’s aggressive municipal investment, leaders delivered a unified message:
Growth is not slowing – but through long-range planning, partnership, and disciplined execution, Central Texas is positioning itself to stay ahead of it.