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Manor-to-Taylor traffic could see major jump by 2050
Jason Chlapek
MANOR — An open house this past week offered a preview of potential improvements to FM 973 with officials predicting traffic will increase by 324% in the years ahead.
Samsung Austin Semiconductor and other high-tech industries locating to the region are
“The region as a whole is expecting to see the population double.”
— Doise Miers, CAMPO community outreach manager helping fuel the rise in autos traveling the roadway, organizers said.
The Texas Department of Transportation and Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization officials co-hosted the April 22 event at Manor Elementar y School to discuss the possibility of expanding 973 between 290 in Manor and Samsung Highway in Taylor.
The agencies met last summer in Taylor to present similar plans for 973 from Samsung Highway to U.S. 79.
“We wanted to update potential improvements on FM 973 and get the public’s feedback on driving that section of the corridor,” said Doise Miers, CAMPO community outreach manager. “We also wanted to complete a survey so we could be better informed on experiences.”
According to Miers, CAMPO and TxDOT want to see more lanes added to 973 and additional shared-use paths along the road for walkers and bikers.
“With Samsung coming in, the section between 79 and 290 traffic has increased. There’s also more development in the area,” Miers said. “It’s continuing to grow and we want 973 to keep up with and accommodate the growth.”
According to traffic data, 20,750 vehicles traveled 973 in 2024, but that figure could jump 324% to 84,700 vehicles in 2050, officials said.
The updated proposal calls for four main lanes – two northbound, two southbound – and two lanes of frontage roads in each direction along with sidewalks on both sides between Samsung Highway and 290.
“The region as a whole is expecting to see the population double in the six-county CAMPO area by 2050,” Miers said. “The population in Williamson County is expected to grow by almost 200% by 2050.”
CAMPO’s region covers Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson counties.
More information is available online until May 26 at www.campotexas. org/get-involved. Public comments are encouraged, officials said.
