Dripping Springs Is Building a New Bike and Walking Path Along Sawyer Ranch Road

Dripping Springs City Council took another step toward a more walkable community this month, passing a resolution in support of Hays County's grant application to fund a new shared-use path along Sawyer Ranch Road.

The path would run along the east side of Sawyer Ranch Road, connecting Meadow Creek Drive to the broader Dripping Springs trail network. If the grant is awarded, construction is targeted for completion by fall 2026.

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What's Being Built

The project is a pedestrian and bicycle path along one of the more heavily traveled roads in the Dripping Springs area. Sawyer Ranch Road runs through a mix of residential neighborhoods, schools, and everyday destinations — making a dedicated off-street path a meaningful upgrade for families and commuters who want to travel without a car.

The city's resolution formally supports Hays County's application to the CAMPO Transportation Alternatives Program (TA) — a federal-state funding source specifically for non-motorized transportation projects. The City of Dripping Springs backing the application signals that this is a shared priority between local and county government, which strengthens the grant case.

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Part of a Broader Walkability Push

This isn't happening in isolation. Dripping Springs has been actively building out its pedestrian infrastructure in recent years:

• The Mercer Street Paseo is in planning — a pedestrian walkway connecting downtown's core blocks
• The Old Fitzhugh Road reconstruction includes new sidewalks and multi-use path access
• The Transportation Master Plan has explicitly identified Sawyer Ranch Road as a priority corridor

The message is consistent: as the city grows, it's trying to make sure people can actually move around without always being in a car.

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What Happens Next

The CAMPO Transportation Alternatives grant is competitive — the application is in, but approval is not guaranteed. If funded, construction would aim to wrap up by fall 2026.

The city and county will handle project management. Residents near Sawyer Ranch Road should expect updates as the grant process moves forward.

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Why It Matters

For a city that's added hundreds of homes a year over the past decade, the infrastructure question isn't just about roads — it's about whether kids can safely bike to school, whether families can walk to the park, and whether the community feels connected rather than just developed.

A new shared-use path on Sawyer Ranch Road isn't the biggest story of the year. But it's exactly the kind of incremental investment that makes a place feel like a place — rather than just a collection of subdivisions.

For the latest updates, follow the City of Dripping Springs at cityofdrippingsprings.com.