Judge hears preliminary injunction arguments in lawsuit against TxDOT, CTRMA

A hearing related to a lawsuit filed against the Texas Department of Transportation and the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority was held last week. The plaintiffs – which include the Save Our Springs Alliance, the Save Barton Creek Association and others – contend that construction of State Highway 45 Southwest and the extension of the South MoPac Expressway will harm endangered species and that TxDOT and CTRMA have not followed federal law, specifically the National Environmental Policy Act, on the projects. They are seeking a preliminary injunction to prevent the CTRMA from beginning preparatory work – which would include destroying vegetation – on SH 45 SW ahead of construction. U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel heard both sides’ arguments on the injunction last Wednesday, according to an update posted by the Save Our Springs Alliance, and a ruling is expected “within the next few weeks.”