AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Resolution 2026-77R, supporting the application of Hays County, Comal County, the Texas Department of Transportation, and the Great Springs Project for funding assistance to the Federal Lands Access Program for the Hunter Road Trail from Wonder World Drive towards the City of New Braunfels and along East McCarty Lane from Hunter Road to South Interstate Highway 35; authorizing the City Manager, or her designee, to support the application on behalf of the city; and declaring an effective date.
Body
Meeting date: May 5, 2026
Department: Planning & Development Services Department
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: n/a
Account or Project Number (C = CIP funds): n/a
Funds Available: n/a
Account Name: n/a
Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: n/a
City Council Strategic Initiative:
N/A
Comprehensive Plan Element (s): [Please select the Plan element(s) and Goal # from dropdown menu below]
☐ Arts and Culture - Choose an item.
☐ Economic Development - Choose an item.
☐ Environment & Resource Protection - Choose an item.
☐ Housing + Neighborhoods - Choose an item.
☐ Land Use + Community Design and Character - Choose an item.
☐ Parks & Public Spaces + Health, Safety & Wellness - Choose an item.
☐ Transportation - TR-1: Develop a robust, balanced, multi-modal transportation system that provides safe, comfortable, and convenient mobility options for people of all abilities
☐ Core Services
☐ Not Applicable
Master Plan: [Please select the corresponding Master Plan from the dropdown menu below (if applicable)]
Vision San Marcos - A River Runs Through Us
Background Information:
The Federal Land Access Program (FLAP) was established to enhance transportation facilities that provide access to projects that are adjacent to or are located within federal lands. The program complements state and local resources for public roads, transit systems, and other transportation facilities, with a specific focus on high-use recreation sites and economic generators. The program is overseen by the Federal Highways Administration, and projects in each state are eligible on a rotating basis for funding for eligible projects. Currently, the call is open for projects in Texas.
Hays County, Comal County, the Texas Department of Transportation, and the Great Springs Project are submitting to the FLAP as part of the 2026 Call for Projects. The application includes funding for design of 9.5 miles of a shared use path (SUP) along Hunter Road from Wonder World Drive in San Marcos to Northwest Park in New Braunfels. The proposal also includes design and engineering for approximately 0.25 miles of shared use path along McCarty Lane from Hunter Road to South IH-35. The intent of the project is to establish multimodal connectivity from San Marcos to New Braunfels and promote multimodal access to the US Fish and Wildlife Services’ San Marcos Aquatic Resources Center (SMARC), which includes existing and planned interior trail infrastructure. Approximately 2.5 million in funding is being requested as part of the project.
In addition to increasing access to the federal SMARC site, the proposed shared use path alignment along Hunter Road is a component of several projects including the TxDOT Bicycle Tourism Trail Network and the Texas Bicentennial Trail (TBT). Both Hunter Road and McCarty Lane are identified in the City’s Transportation Master Plan as having off-street bicycle facilities, such as a shared use path. The City of San Marcos does not have any financial obligations to this project, should it be awarded funding. This Resolution is intended to indicate support for a planned trail and active transportation infrastructure located within the City jurisdiction in alignment with the Transportation Master Plan, city standards, and agreements.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
n/a
Alternatives:
n/a
Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of this request.