Community Voices

“Protect Darden Hill Road. This is a neighborhood, not a bypass for 290. This plan is ill-conceived; always has been. Unite and stop this plan.”

— Janet, Driftwood

“Darden Hill should be dropped to 35mph, not raised to 45. This expansion is not serving the residents of the area in one bit. Our peaceful way of life in what's left of the "country" and the safety of the children you claim you are building for should not be sacrificed to distribute heavy truck and vehicle traffic off of 290. This development is irresponsible.”

— Cynthia, Driftwood

“The proposed expansion of Darden Hill is entirely unnecessary. It will destroy the quaintness of our community and increase the level of danger for all those who live and commute down this road. Traffic concerns could easily be addressed by adding strategic turn lanes to the perfectly good two lanes that already exist.”

— DeAnna, Driftwood

“I am gravely concerned about a 4-lane expansion and increased speed limit on Darden Hill. Allowing heavy freight trucks on Darden Hill not only endangers children but also quality of life for all residents who live off Darden Hill and RM 1826.”

— Elizabeth, Austin

“Leave Darden Hill as a residential road serving the residents and schools. Keep it two lane with turn lanes to discourage speeds over 35 mph.”

— Kelly, Driftwood

“We need to maintain structure intended for families and children with schools in such close proximity. If you continue to build this with the intended speed limit, you'll also need to add EMTs and ambulances to keep up with accidents that will definitely occur.”

— Bethanie, Dripping Springs

“As it is, people drive too fast down these two lane roads, and now you all want to throw larger vehicles with the least ability to stop on a dime against small children.”

— April, Dripping Springs

“This would not be a road improvement. It would endanger residents and children. Just because you are moving forward doesn't mean you are making progress.”

— Gary, Austin

“We need to keep Darden Hill from becoming a highway. Yes we need to accommodate traffic for the new high school but keep the quietness of our country roads.”

— Michelle, Driftwood

“Darden Hill Road was THE road that made me fall in love with Dripping Springs/Driftwood. So serene and beautiful…especially during a sunset drive. Please don't pave anymore over this paradise.”

— Allison, Driftwood

“Trucks should use the brand new 290 expansion. Not school zoned areas.”

— Shannon, Austin

“Darden Hill Rd should be no bigger or faster than Sawyer Ranch Rd.”

— Bob, Driftwood

“Please keep our community as a residential road with its hill country charm, our homes, our families, our environment.”

— Alli, Driftwood

“Don't build that hwy! My grand babies go to Cypress… keep Darden Hill safe!”

— Nancy, Austin

“Keep to the approved agreement with the court. 2 lanes. 1 center lane.”

— Debbie, Dripping Springs

“Please… No new highway on Darden Hill. We moved here for the beautiful rural and quietness that this beautiful community offers.”

— Laura, Driftwood

“I ride Darden Hills frequently on my road bike. Two lanes plus a turn lane plus shoulders and sidewalks is PLENTY of expansion for the area. Back it off a notch please.”

— Quentin, Driftwood

“Please re-think this plan. The safety of the children with the schools needs to be top priority and the homeowners who have been left out of the process.”

— Diana, Austin

“Let's keep Darden Hill Road from becoming a highway connector.”

— Linda, Driftwood

“Current design is dangerous with 2 schools on Darden Hill. Very disruptive to rural community.”

— Merry, Driftwood

“Please listen to the people/voters and protect the children and those that live on Darden Hill Road.”

— Patricia, Austin

“This is a safety issue for our kids.”

— Kristina, Austin

“Common sense choices shouldn't need a lot of explanation. Choose the kids' safety and the culture of the area.”

— Angela, Dripping Springs

“The plan should mirror that of Sawyer Ranch. Especially with so many driving high school students. Slow it down at least by the schools.”

— Kristen, Driftwood

“I vehemently reject any further augmentation and development of roadways within Hays County and Darden Hill Road.”

— David, Driftwood

“Darden Hill should continue to be a residential road for safety reasons.”

— Carol, Dripping Springs

“Weight limits for sure!”

— Charlie, Driftwood

“Darden Hill road is home to an elementary and soon to be high school. We need to keep the area safe for children especially teenage drivers and the parents who drive there daily.”

— April, Austin

“The Darden Hill area is known for its beauty, family-friendly environment and Driftwood character. PLEASE rethink this in light of the neighborhood usage of roads!”

— Cara, Driftwood

“We are not opposed to road improvements. We are asking the county to conduct a noise study, lower the speed limit, restrict heavy trucks, and re-engage the community before finalizing a design we never approved.”

— Steve, Driftwood

“STOP the building of roads where heavy duty trucks and traffic threatens the safety of our children.”

— Maryann, Austin

“Upgraded road and speed limit a horrible idea. Our neighborhood is 1 street off a tiny rural road. Both new developments are going to put more traffic on this little road that is definitely rural and has some areas of steep drop off, no shoulders at all due to topography. Any incident on that road will shut down vehicles in both directions, no other way in or out of this area.”

— Patricia O., Dripping Springs

“I support the most minimalist plan. Just replace Darden Hill Rd as is and enforce the speed limits. Do not extend 45 Westbound.”

— Robert, Driftwood

“What an unfortunate idea. The county should do better unless of course they want to eliminate all residences on Darden Hill.”

— Allison, Dripping Springs

“Please do not destroy our neighborhood with this destruction of Darden Hill Rd.”

— Deborah, Driftwood

“Building a four lane road seems excessive and unnecessary in such a remote area. Most people who live here moved here to get away from all of the people and traffic and want to be immersed in the nature and wildlife that Driftwood provides its residents. What we have out here is precious to us and by building this road you're taking away many of the things that made us all fall in love with the land out here to begin with.”

— Kendra, Driftwood

“Sure, make Darden 4-lane AFTER finishing 4-lane 1826, 150 and Sawyer Ranch. Then it might make some sense, but NOT NOW or even in 10 years.”

— Brian, Driftwood

“Conduct a noise study, lower the speed limit, restrict heavy trucks, and re-engage the community before finalizing a design we never approved.”

— Donna, Driftwood

“Re-engage the community before finalizing a design we never approved.”

— Ross, Driftwood

“Too much traffic. Too fast. Too loud. Too dangerous. Keep Darden Hill 2 lanes!”

— Hal, Driftwood

“The road plan clearly did not realize or care about the school bus stops along Darden Hill. Several times a month we watch vehicles of all sizes passing a stopped school bus. Can you imagine the school buses trying to stop on a four lane road for students loading and unloading?”

— Ellen, Driftwood

“Darden Hill is residential, not commercial.”

— Keith, Driftwood

“No to any more expansion in our beautiful hill country.”

— Julie, Austin

“I'm all for the alternative plans except for the divided 4 lanes needs to be 2 lanes with a continuous turn lane from 1826 to 150.”

— Nancy, Driftwood

“The traffic levels on Darden does not justify 4 lanes even with the new school. Most school traffic flows onto 1826 and Sawyer Ranch Road. Sawyer gets a great deal of traffic and it is only 2 lanes with turn lanes. Please reconsider this plan.”

— Venita, Driftwood

“This expansion is dangerous! Why would Sawyer Ranch be 35mph and Darden Hill 45? Why four lanes? Totally unnecessary! You will devalue our homes, create an unsafe, noisy environment for hundreds of home owners. A noise study needs to be done, as well as a traffic study.”

— Cassie, Driftwood

“Would hate to see even more destruction near my childhood home. I grew up in Driftwood/Dripping, and every time I come home something has changed. Please preserve Driftwood and Darden Hill.”

— Hannah, Driftwood

“The safety of the residents of Darden Hill is at stake and the plans should be thoroughly reviewed and approved by those affected the most.”

— Courtney, Driftwood

“Widening the road and taking away the little piece of Driftwood heaven is a detriment to this road. The end of Darden does not need 4 lanes, a median and bike lanes. This is not a highway!”

— Jessica, Driftwood

“Preserve hill country surroundings while improving road and safety conditions.”

— Michael, Driftwood

“Expanding Darden Hill is absolutely ridiculous. The cost and feasibility of buying out the land required to widen the road and rebuild bridges would be huge. The up and down terrain is already dangerous, especially in bad weather.”

— Jerry, Driftwood

“There has to be a better way to accommodate the increase in traffic due to the high school without turning Darden Hill into another 290 and ruining hundreds of residents' property, property values, and quality of life.”

— Tanya, Driftwood

“Community input and traffic study needed before finalizing Darden Hill road changes.”

— James, Driftwood

“A residential neighborhood should not have a five lane road. One lane each way with a middle turn lane is enough.”

— Mark, Driftwood

“This road is almost all residential and the homeowners bought along it due to its rural residential appeal. No one wants to live by a main road corridor!”

— Stacey, Dripping Springs

“As a Darden Hill Road residential resident of 14 years: Preserve rural character. Speed limit 35 mph. Do not need 4 lanes and 40-foot drainage culverts. When will a noise impact study be conducted? Remove the planned future extension. Meaningful community engagement.”

— Lindsay, Driftwood

“I am absolutely opposed to making the proposed changes to Darden Hill.”

— Gary, Driftwood

“Leave Darden Hill Road alone.”

— Dwayne, Driftwood

“This would be devastating to the environment for where it is built. It will hurt the people more than it will help.”

— Quintin, Oconomowoc

“I don't know what it's gonna take to stop all the building in Texas. This project has a lot of flaws related to safety.”

— Robert, Buda

“A 4-lane divided highway is way too large a road for Darden Hill. It should look like Sawyer Ranch or Nutty Brown, nothing larger.”

— Deborah, Austin

“We request that transportation planners respectfully hear and address our community's valuable input regarding the design planning of our roads.”

— Zackery, Driftwood

“No expansion to Darden Hill Road.”

— Christine, Austin

“I'm against a 4-lane road through the north side of my property.”

— Sandra, Driftwood

“Road improvements, but not 4 lanes for Darden or 1826.”

— Kathryn, Driftwood

“No new road! Stop paving the hill country!”

— Mary, Dripping Springs

“We need this kind of stuff to stop. Our elected folks are nothing more than public servants. They work for us, not the engineering firms that give our commissioners and candidates money.”

— Julie, Driftwood

“Elected officials work for and represent the people, not corporations, businesses, or special interests. The people who live here in Dripping Springs and Driftwood do not want a 4-lane road for trucks to ruin their community. We don't need more lanes or to be driving that fast in this area.”

— Joanna, Dripping Springs

“Please reconsider the expansion of Darden Hill. The conversion would result in a highway connector raising serious safety and noise concerns and negatively impacting the nature of the attached neighborhoods.”

— John, Driftwood

“The current plans will change the character of the local neighborhoods as well as impacting the safety, noise levels, and property values. While the addition of the schools to the area is needed, the impact to the existing residents should be considered.”

— Page, Driftwood

“Just pave it, maybe add some shoulders. The way they get folks to beg for road improvements is to let the road go to shambles, as they have Darden Hill.”

— Majesta, Driftwood

“A divided 4-lane road and extension through existing private property is not required by any stretch of need. It will have a negative impact on residents and property value.”

— Roger, Driftwood

“290 is the only 4-lane road out here. Not 12. Not 1826. Not 150. All of which have more traffic than Darden Hill. Darden Hill is not appropriate for 4 lanes.”

— Renita, Driftwood

“Roundabouts and a center lane are a far better improvement for this road vs. 4 lanes. There are already too many commercial trucks on this road, and even the County shouldn't encourage them to race through this neighborhood.”

— Doray, Wimberley

“Please consider child safety, and residential comments. We all know 45 mph means 55 mph to most drivers, and we all know speed and weight limits are rarely enforced. The County's plan is a tragic disaster waiting to happen.”

— C., Dripping Springs

“My sister lives in this neighborhood. As a frequent visitor I would hate to see this peaceful area ruined by a highway.”

— Ashley, Blum

“Save Darden Hill! Keep Driftwood a small country town!”

— Hailey, Austin

“A four-lane road would be HORRIBLE! Think of the possibility of increased accidents with more lanes and large trucks. Bad idea!”

— Michelle, San Marcos

“One lane in each direction with a center median is all we need.”

— Kari, Driftwood

“To preserve the area and help with traffic flow, a two-lane with a center median and a small shoulder is all that should be needed.”

— Cesar, Driftwood

“We moved from the city 25 years ago and don't want our area turned into that.”

— Sandy, Driftwood

“We don't need a bypass. We need a roadway that is safe for families and good for our blooming community.”

— Moira, Dripping Springs

“Darden Hill Rd is not a highway. It is already a neighborhood road, due to the existing houses and school. We need to improve the surface and signage and safety of the road we have, not make it into a big, expensive project.”

— Lynn, Dripping Springs

“This project just doesn't make sense. If anything, consider making 1826 four-lane.”

— George, Austin

“Why make Darden Hill more lanes than 150 and Ranch Road 12? Not to mention 1826. Spend money on shoulders, alternative transportation, and turn lanes. Otherwise leave Darden Hill alone.”

— Robert, Dripping Springs

“Do not do to Darden Hill Road what has already been done to the majority of Dripping Springs. As a parent of teenagers, I cannot imagine them traversing so many roads with this type of traffic. It's dangerous enough as is.”

— Melanie, Austin

“Proposal seems over the top. How about one lane each direction with a turn lane down the middle?”

— Corey, Austin