Austin Commissioners still have questions

Less than a week after Circuit of the Americas asked Travis County to foot at least part of the estimated $8 million bill for road improvements near their race track, county commissioners for the first time discussed their questions and concerns in a closed session today.

Organizers are building a $300 million racetrack and entertainment complex on an isolated site southeast of Austin. Friday, the American-Statesman reported that Circuit of the Americas was asking the county to pay for some road improvements around the track.

“Like most new initiatives, we had a lot more questions than answers," county Judge Sam Biscoe told the American-Statesman today.

For example, Biscoe said he had questions about the road projects, such as widening Elroy Road to four lanes and the extension of little-used Kellam Road to Pearce Lane to create a new way to get to the track property. He also wanted to know how much the work would cost, how it would be designed and the construction schedule.

County officials have previously said traffic delays for the Nov. 18 race, expected to bring as many as 120,000 fans, could be as long as 12 hours. Circuit officials have not dismissed the potential problems but have estimated delays closer to three hours. The Statesman