Bandera Electric Cooperative has become the latest organization to formally urge the Texas Department of Transportation to accelerate planned safety improvements along State Highway 46 West, adding its voice to a growing coalition of local governments, schools and community organizations seeking faster action on the project.
The cooperative's board of directors unanimously adopted a resolution July 22 supporting the funded safety improvements and calling on TxDOT to move up the project's timeline.
In the resolution, the board notes that the approximately 11-mile corridor between Interstate 10 and State Highway 16 is a primary route for cooperative members traveling daily among Pipe Creek, Lakehills, Bandera, Boerne and San Antonio for work, school and other activities.
It also cites TxDOT crash data showing 550 crashes on the corridor between 2016 and March 2026, resulting in 13 deaths and 44 serious injuries. Nearly half of the fatal and serious-injury crashes were head-on collisions caused by vehicles crossing the center line.
The resolution expresses support for the safety project, which includes centerline rumble strips, a 4-foot centerline buffer, concrete barriers at Webster's Corner and turn lane improvements at eight intersections.
The board also urged TxDOT to complete the environmental review and other remaining steps as quickly as possible so construction can begin sooner than currently scheduled.
According to the resolution, the project is fully funded through the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program and state transportation funds and does not require local funding.
However, TxDOT has scheduled the project to be advertised for bids in September 2027, with construction beginning in January 2028 after completion of an environmental clearance process expected in April 2027.
The cooperative also directed copies of the resolution to be sent to the Tx-DOT San Antonio District Office, the Bandera and Kendall county commissioners courts, and state lawmakers representing the area.
BEC's action adds another unanimous resolution supporting the project. Earlier this year, the Bandera County Commissioners Court, Kendall County Commissioners Court and Boerne ISD Board of Trustees each adopted resolutions calling for the safety improvements to move forward.
Support has also come from outside the region.
Last month, the national Motorcycle Safety Foundation and State Rep. Wes Virdell sent separate letters to TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams urging the department to expedite the project, describing the planned improvements as practical, proven safety measures for one of the Hill Country's busiest and most dangerous roadways.
BEC officials said the cooperative plans to send its own letter to TxDOT following adoption of the resolution and will highlight the effort in the September issue of Texas Coop Power magazine.
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