Hamilton Pool Road

Ric posts a detailed report about TxDOT plans to "improve" Hammett's Crossing, the low water bridge across the Pedernales. The crossing floods several times a year, and the switchbacks on the east side catch an unwary tractor trailer every year or so (in spite of warning signs).

As a resident of the east side of the crossing, the flooding never inconveniences me. I love this scenic place where you can cross inches above the water.

If west side residents wanted the bridge improved, I would have to defer to that. When the bridge is closed (usually a day or so at a time), their drive to the grocery store goes up a good twenty or thirty miles (via Fall Creek Rd to 71). I think it would be possible for TxDOT to build a better bridge and to preserve the existing crossing as a pedestrian walkway (as Ric's article mentions is the intent). The county already owns the adjacent park land on the southeast, so that would be suitable parking, and could make this little crossing more accessible.

But two points.

1. Ric is a west side resident and gladly puts up with the occasional inconvenience. He doesn't want a bridge, and I don't need one, so I'm on his side.

2. The county commish, Gerald "The Gerald" Daugherty, is probably conniving as we speak to drum up his developer base to press for "improvements" to HPR making it just one more arterial in his vision of Western Travis county as a cul de sac community. If I trusted my elected representative just wanted to improve the lives of Ric and Annie out there, I could be persuaded; but I know this is just a windfall, federally funded opportunity for him to open up the west side of the Pedernales to development by his political cronies.