150,000 people commute to Travis County for work

Hays County, Texas (KXAN) - Numbers just released from the U.S. Census Bureau indicate 150,000 people work in Travis County but live in another county.

Williamson County accounts for nearly half of that number with 90,000 people coming into town. Around 30,000 commute from Hays County.

"Morning commute, it's pretty brutal," said Trevor Ancinec, who deals with the traffic.

Homes are booming south of Austin, not to mention in Buda and Kyle. The reasonable cost of living is a big reason for the increase in popualation.

"It is much cheaper, but at the same time you pay the price of having to sit in traffic a lot longer and wasting more gas," Ancinec said.

For years, the 45 SW project has been in limbo, but Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization has recently created a three member panel to get the ball rolling.

The project would continue 45 at MoPac to Farm to Market 1626.

The project could possibly widening FM 1626, which would ease traffic flow on the much congested Brodie Lane.

"It would save on time and commute," Ancinec said.

45 SW would become a new artery between Hays and Travis County, giving drivers easier access between West Austin, Buda, Kyle and San Marcos.

At this time, CAMPO is deciding whether 45 SW should be a toll road or built by the county.

A traffic analysis is now underway and it will eventually be up to the public on who will build it.