Johnson County approves revised transportation bond program plan, adds near‑term safety projects

Johnson County Commissioners on Jan. 12 approved a revised program plan for the county’s transportation bond, adding three near‑term projects and adjusting budgets to accelerate safety improvements and partnership opportunities with TxDOT and local cities.

Chris Bosco of Friese Nichols told the court the additions include a county‑funded safety project (project 1.6) that would extend a county road to square it up with State Highway 67 to create a safer left‑turn geometry, and two partnership‑oriented projects intended to leverage state and Council of Governments funding. Bosco said the three additions total about $7.9 million and described how the program would reallocate final‑design funding from other bond projects to support projects that can move quickly.

Commissioners and staff discussed a range of technical matters — from a possible tunnel or overpass near downtown Joshua to a frontage‑road connection that would improve operations at the I‑35/67 corridor — and highlighted partnership dollars already secured for the Eagan interchange (approximately $25 million in combined COG/state commitments). The court approved the program plan and authorized staff to proceed with consultant procurements and partner coordination.

County staff said the plan is phasing work to keep schematic and environmental steps progressing while allowing the county to pursue leveraged funding; program contingency funds (~$4 million) remain available for emergent priorities or new project additions. The court voted unanimously to approve the plan and move forward with implementing the updated phasing and procurement schedule.