Leander ISD will no longer pursue a permit application with US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to build a secondary access road to Vandegrift High School and Four Points Middle School. For the past 15 years, the district has been engaged with USFWS, seeking construction for the road to provide emergency access.Β 

The Leander ISD Board of Trustees voted to withdraw the permit application Thursday. The District presentation showed that staff and emergency agencies have developed alternative access solutions that do not require the road.

“After careful consideration, we have decided to conclude this matter to prioritize our resources and focus on what truly mattersβ€”supporting students and their experiences to maximize their potential,” LISD Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed.D., said. β€œWhile the application was initially pursued with the best intentions for our community, it is clear that continuing would become an expensive pursuit and ultimately not serve our mission.”

Due to road improvements along Ranch Road 2222 that provide two dedicated turn lanes into the campus complex, drivers are experiencing fewer delays. Furthermore, better traffic management with roundabouts on McNeil Road and Ribelin Ranch Road has provided enhanced safety and efficiency. The City of Austin has also allowed LISD to run buses through the vacant 3M corporate campus, which mitigated bus traffic from contributing to the congestion.

In 2017, LISD voters approved $3 million for road improvements in a bond election. The Bond Oversight Committee approved reallocating some of the funding to pay for legal expenses to bring the project to fruition. In lieu of constructing the secondary access road, the district intends to use remaining money to create a better connection between Four Points MS and Vandegrift HS. District staff and local emergency management agencies have worked collaboratively to develop emergency access plans.

β€œThis project carries more than a decade of history, and even I initially understood it to be focused more on enhancing transportation than serving as an emergency access route,” said Trustee Trish Bode. β€œI’m encouraged by the progress we’ve seen in recent years, but significant traffic challenges persist. Even with the permit withdrawal, it’s essential that the Board and the district remain actively engaged to ensure traffic flow and safety continue to be top priorities.”

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