Hays County is advancing improvements to Darden Hill Road to enhance safety, mobility, and connectivity for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. This area has experienced significant growth, including new and expanding residential developments, two new schools, and a new church.
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The need for improvements to the Darden Hill Road corridor has been identified in different plans dating back to 2013.
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2013 – Hays County Transportation Plan recommended improvements to Darden Hill Road including the addition of a center turn lane.
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2017 – RM 150 West Character Plan identified the need for improvements and extension
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2021 – Hays County Transportation Plan recommended a 4 lane road and the extension to connect to RM 150 near Woods Loop.
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2021 – City of Dripping Springs Transportation Master Plan recommended a 4 lane major arterial divided roadway.
IMPROVEMENTS
Widen and extend the existing roadway to include:
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Two lanes in each direction separated by a median
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Shoulders on both sides of the roadway
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A shared use path on the south side of the roadway
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Roundabout at Darden Hill and RM 1826
WIDENING SEGMENT (RM 1826 to East of Sawyer Ranch Road):
The County began preliminary schematic design for this project in late 2022 and completed it in 2024. Improvements include widening Darden Hill Road from RM 1826 to east of Sawyer Ranch Road and adding a roundabout at the intersection of Darden Hill and RM 1826. This process included meetings with property owners and stakeholders, as well as a public meeting in 2023. This segment is funded for design, right-of-way acquisition, utility coordination, and construction.
COST: $51.8M
Anticipated Schedule:
Preliminary Design
Design
ROW Acquisition
Utility Coordination
Construction
Roundabout Construction
2022 - 2024
Late 2025 - Mid 2027
2026 - Mid 2027
2026 - Late 2027
Mid 2027 - Mid 2028
Mid 2027 - Mid 2029
EXTENSION SEGMENT (West of Sawyer Ranch Road to Woods Loop):
The County began studies to determine feasible and beneficial options for an extension of Darden Hill Road in 2021 to create a more direct and efficient connection between RM 1826 and RM 12. This segment is funded for environmental studies, planning, and schematic design, along with coordination with property owners and public meetings for the community, to extend the widened road from west of Sawyer Ranch Road and for a new extension to connect near Woods Loop that could eventually tie into planned improvements at RM 150 and RM 12.
COST: $2M
Anticipated Schedule:
Environmental Studies & Design
Construction
Mid 2026 - Late 2027
Not Funded
RIGHT OF WAY
Additional ROW will be needed to widen and extend the roadway. As design progresses, Hays County will begin coordinating with affected property owners.