Council approved item N. The resolution authorizes the city manager to enter the Waterway Lane Trail funding agreement with TxDOT.
The agreement assigns New Braunfels an estimated $728,600 share and responsibility for 100% of overruns on a trail planned between Gruene Road and FM 306. The city’s share includes design, construction and direct state costs.
The city estimates the full project at $3,659,475. The posted budget allocates up to $2,914,400 in federal Transportation Alternatives funding, $16,475 in state participation and $728,600 in local participation.
What the agreement covers
The agreement describes an off-road shared-use path with ADA curb ramps, a pedestrian hybrid beacon, seating and pedestrian lighting. The route would run from Gruene Road to FM 306.
Federal participation covers 80% of eligible project work up to the authorized amount. New Braunfels must pay its local percentage, costs above the federal authorization and locally driven cost increases covered by the agreement.
The agreement estimates a $59,800 payment from New Braunfels to TxDOT for direct state costs, due within 30 days after the contract is executed. Park District 1 funds can cover the city’s design and direct-state-cost share, according to the staff report.
Why Waterway Lane changed course
In 2021, New Braunfels studied a road connection on Waterway Lane; after residents opposed the roadway, the city shifted to a shared-use path and backed a grant application in January 2025.
That history matters because the approved agreement advances a different use of the city-owned transportation right-of-way: a walking and bicycling connection instead of the earlier roadway concept. Comal.News previously examined the proposed cost split and overrun exposure before the vote.
What happens next
Construction is expected to begin in May 2028, after design and the city chooses funding for its construction share.
Council approval authorizes the city manager to execute the agreement; it does not start construction. The next useful records are the executed agreement, design updates and the city’s construction-funding decision.
Readers can inspect the project budget and local obligations in the full TxDOT agreement and verify the council action in the official meeting recording.