Proposed Improvements to FM 969 Aim to Address Growing Traffic Concerns in Central Texas

Residents along the corridor say safety must remain a top priority as transportation officials explore widening, straightening, and adding turn lanes to the winding road.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 2:05am

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of a winding rural road, with soft pools of warm light and color creating an atmospheric, dreamlike quality that conceptually represents the transportation challenges and community concerns along the FM 969 corridor in Central Texas.Proposed improvements to FM 969 aim to address growing traffic concerns in Central Texas, while residents along the corridor emphasize the need to prioritize safety.Bastrop Today

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) are conducting a study to explore potential improvements along FM 969, a congested roadway stretching from eastern Travis County to Bastrop County. Proposed ideas include straightening portions of the winding road, widening it to include additional lanes or shoulders, and potentially adding center turn lanes to improve safety and traffic flow.

Why it matters

As Central Texas continues to experience rapid growth, transportation officials are proactively planning for increased traffic and development along the FM 969 corridor. Residents who live along the road say they understand improvements are needed, but they want to ensure safety remains the top priority, especially with the road serving as a vital link to everyday necessities in Bastrop.

The details

The study is still in its early research phase, with any major changes likely years away. However, officials are already exploring several options to improve FM 969, which many drivers say can be frustrating, especially when turning vehicles slow traffic due to the lack of a center median. Proposed ideas include straightening portions of the winding road, widening it to include additional lanes or shoulders, and potentially adding center turn lanes.

  • The current study phase is expected to wrap up soon.
  • After the study phase, TxDOT and CAMPO will move into a more detailed environmental review, determine funding sources, and decide what type of construction could move forward.
  • Depending on those factors, some shorter-term safety improvements could be implemented before larger construction projects begin.

The players

Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)

The state agency partnering with CAMPO to study potential improvements along the FM 969 corridor.

Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO)

The regional transportation planning organization working with TxDOT on the FM 969 study.

Mary and Jeff Comerfort

Residents who have lived along FM 969 for more than 35 years and are concerned about safety, especially with speeding drivers.

Doise Miers

The CAMPO Community Outreach Manager, who said the goal of the study is to anticipate future growth and plan accordingly.

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What they’re saying

“We just want to make sure that we can still get in and out where we are without being run down, ran over or crashed into by some lunatic that thinks they can go anywhere they want because they're outside of the city limits.”

— Mary and Jeff Comerfort, Residents

“This study is designed to look into the future to see what kind of development and employers are coming in, also see what kinds of housing and other things like that are going to generate traffic.”

— Doise Miers, CAMPO Community Outreach Manager

What’s next

After the current study phase wraps up, TxDOT and CAMPO will move into a more detailed environmental review, determine funding sources, and decide what type of construction could move forward. Depending on those factors, some shorter-term safety improvements could be implemented before larger construction projects begin.

The takeaway

As Central Texas continues to experience rapid growth, transportation officials are proactively planning for increased traffic and development along the FM 969 corridor. While residents understand the need for improvements, they want to ensure safety remains the top priority, especially with the road serving as a vital link to everyday necessities in Bastrop.