By RICH KEITH, Four Points News

Local Four Points and Lake Travis civic leaders met recently to discuss long-term goals and realistic strategies for improving transportation in the area between Lakeline Mall and TX 71. Involved were the Four Points Chamber of Commerce president Ray Freer, the Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce president Laura Mitchell and Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce president Tony Moline.

“We met to discuss common interests surrounding putting together a vision for and seeing plans for development along the 620 corridor,” said Brian Thompto, community relations chair with the Four Points Chamber of Commerce.

Brian Thompto, community relations chair with the Four Points Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the Steiner Ranch Neighborhood Association.

Both short term and long term goals were discussed. “Ultimately we want to create a vision for the area,” Thompto said. “We want to build a coalition to influence regional transportation issues including Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization or CAMPO priorities,” he said.

Thompto urges Four Points residents to come out for the CAMPO Mobile Meeting on Wednesday at Lakeway Activity Center, 105 Cross Creek Drive at  6 p.m. This planning meeting invites residents to share concerns, experiences and solutions for traffic planning.

“CAMPO 2040 is in process now and they want to constructively address our corridor,” said Thompto, who also leads the Steiner Ranch Neighborhood Association.

The SRNA has been engaging with CAMPO over the last several months. “CAMPO is working through their planning process and they want to hear from residents and the community,” Thompto said.

Thompto says that not only is development happening within Four Points but also from Leander down to Bee Cave.

“Near term solutions could include optimizing traffic lights such as with adaptive monitoring, as well as an expansion of capacity via over- or under-passes; and to accommodate long term growth we should be planning now for how to create a full connector between 45 North and 45 South,” Thompto said.

The idea of the roadway connecting the two tollways was first put forward by the city of Lakeway in the summer. Thompto met recently with the mayor and city planner for Lakeway. “Lakeway has taken steps to engage with CAMPO on this roadway idea,” Thompto said.