Why are there poles in the middle of the road near FM 973?

TxDOT is currently widening portions of FM 973 and KXAN confirmed that the state agency is working with Austin Energy to relocate multiple utility poles. (KXAN Photo/Tim Holcomb)

AUSTIN (KXAN) — No, your eyes aren’t deceiving you: drivers traveling on FM 973 in Travis County have likely noticed the unusual sight of utility poles in the middle of the road just outside. A Texas Department of Transportation spokesman said it is part of a planned widening project that is underway.

TxDOT is currently widening portions of FM 973 and KXAN confirmed that the state agency is working with Austin Energy to relocate multiple utility poles. For now, these poles stand in the middle of the paved new lanes.

A TxDOT spokesman said the poles are located outside of existing traffic lanes. Once paving is complete along FM 973, the spokesman added that the area where utility poles currently are located will be open to traffic, minus the poles in the middle of the road.

“(Drivers) can see the paved area, but it is not yet open to traffic,” the spokesman added.

TxDOT’s project tracking database shows two sections of separation construction are underway on FM 973, both north of State 71 Toll Road.

The first section, near Elara Drive, was described as an overlay project and received notice to begin construction in March. These works are scheduled to be completed in March 2025.

The second area, north of Thyone Drive, is a safety improvement project whose construction began last October and is expected to be completed in January 2026.