SAN MARCOS — Southwest Texas State University has signed on as a partner in a proposed project that will bring long-needed railroad overpasses to San Marcos.

SWT President Denise M. Trauth Monday signed a letter of endorsement for the overpass project that will be delivered to the Texas Department of Transportation. The letter states the university’s approval of an overpass project for Aquarena Springs Drive, a thoroughfare that bisects some university property and serves as a major artery to and from SWT.

A similar overpass project is in the planning stages for Wonder World Drive on the south side of San Marcos.

“This is foremost a safety issue, and this partnership is a good show of solidarity to meet the safety needs of San Marcos,” Trauth said. “We want the community to see Southwest Texas as a good neighbor, and we are happy to give the endorsement of this project.”

Trauth’s endorsement of the Aquarena Springs Drive overpass proposal is subject to three stipulations:

• That the project does not replace or impact the timeline for the Wonder World Drive overpass as that location holds the highest priority for the community.
• That the overpass be architecturally attractive and landscaped to the fullest extent possible.
• That signage is included to direct traffic to SWT locations such as the Texas Rivers Center and Bobcat Stadium.

While construction on the project is still a few years off, local governments are aligning to voice support of the proposal. Trauth was joined Monday by Hays County Judge Jim Powers, San Marcos Mayor Bob Habingreither, San Marcos City Manager Dan O’Leary, San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District Superintendent Sylvester Perez and Don Nyland of the Texas Department of Transportation.

The city of San Marcos is divided by railroad tracks and local officials have expressed concern for years that the absence of overpasses at the tracks can hinder the movement of emergency vehicles.