Bee Cave Intersection: City Council Approves $2.9 Million Redesign
Officials voted to add turning lanes at the Texas 71 and Bee Cave Parkway junction, splitting construction costs with the state.
By Pedro Barnes ·
The Bee Cave City Council unanimously approved a plan on Tuesday to redesign the intersection of Texas 71, Hamilton Pool Road, and Bee Cave Parkway. The vote supports a resolution that expands the intersection footprint to handle higher traffic volumes. The city will fully fund the design phase. Construction costs will be divided, with the city paying for improvements to city-owned Bee Cave Parkway and the Texas Department of Transportation covering state-owned roads.
The council first considered intersection improvements in January 2024. At that time, staff proposed an innovative design philosophy. Council members debated options, including a diverging diamond intersection. Council Member Andrea Willott voiced safety concerns about that specific design, comparing it to the Slaughter Lane and MoPac Boulevard intersection in Austin. She described the concept as intense and stated the city did not need that configuration in Bee Cave.
The final approved plan focuses on dedicated turning and acceleration lanes. The design adds a second right-turn lane along Bee Cave Parkway to Texas 71. It also adds a second left-turn lane on Texas 71 to Bee Cave Parkway and Hamilton Pool Road, plus an additional through lane. The proposal includes upgrades to pedestrian infrastructure and storm sewers.
City staff estimates the fiscal impact at approximately $2.9 million for the city and $3.7 million for TxDOT. City Manager Julie Oakley presented these figures to the council. She noted the numbers are rough order of magnitude estimates that do not yet include detailed drainage or utility relocation costs. Oakley said the city completed an engineering analysis of four different designs. She stated this specific plan offered the most improvement for the least cost.
Residents and council members weighed in on the traffic flow. Council Member Kevin Hight asked why the practical redesign was not implemented years earlier. Bee Cave resident John Wickens questioned the relief for southbound traffic. He noted that right-turn stacks are rare during rush hour. He identified the main backup as traffic trying to cross Texas 71 heading south.
Oakley responded that the city will continue to push for corridor improvements. She acknowledged there is no long-term solution until the roadway expands to three lanes in each direction. The next step is for the city manager to negotiate an advance funding agreement with TxDOT. The mayor will then execute the agreement.
