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Bastrop County took the first step toward a possible extension of the U.S. 290 toll road through Elgin last week.
On April 14, county commissioners approved an agreement with the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority to begin the study of a proposed 13-mile tollway extension—just as local state Rep. Stan Gerdes pushes legislation that would give voters the final say on such projects.
The planned route would extend the busy highway’s tolled section from its current end point, west of Manor, through Elgin to Texas 95, according to county documents.
Officials said the study will focus on design planning and environmental impacts, with an expected cost of about $20 million.
Under the agreement, the county will not contribute financially.
No construction has been approved, and a timeline for completing the review has not been announced. If the project moves forward, separate approvals and funding would be required for any future construction phases, according to county officials.
CTRMA officials initially approved the partnership in late March, but because the agency’s jurisdiction ends at the Bastrop County line, the Commissioners Court’s blessing was needed to proceed.
Coinciding with the agreement, Gerdes introduced House Bill 1589 during a legislative hearing April 14.
The bill would require voter approval before any toll road project could be constructed in Texas, according to state records.
“Texans should never be forced to pay tolls on roads they didn’t vote for,” Gerdes said. “This bill puts the power back where it belongs—with you, the taxpayer.”
Earlier proposals to expand the tolled 290 corridor faced community resistance, but officials said the current approach aims to address long-term mobility needs as the region continues to grow.
Public comments have voiced frustration with the current state of traffic and congestion in the area, particularly during rush hour.
The tolled section currently stretches just over six miles. In partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation, CTRMA completed Phase 3 of the project in 2021, which included three flyovers at the intersection with Texas 130.
