Leander ISD will no longer pursue a permit application with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service 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. 

The Leander ISD Board of Trustees voted to withdraw the permit application on April 10. 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 matters—supporting students and their experiences to maximize their potential,” LISD Superintendent Bruce Gearing said. “While 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. 

Additionally Karlin Real Estate allowed LISD buses to go through the former 3M campus. Matt Schwab of Karlin was working with 2222 Coalition of Neighborhood Associations about the redevelopment of the 3M site when Schwab and local Four Points resident Jennifer Mushtaler discussed the feasibility of the buses using the private roads through the site. These roads are private to Karlin and are not owned by the city of Austin. 

LISD stated that this help mitigate 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.

“This 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. “I’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.”