“It’s a regionally significant project because it’s a major east-west roadway through the heart of our county,” she said. “Leander, in our last bond election, prioritized it as their No. 1 project to partner with the county on.”
In a partnership between the Texas Department of Transportation and Williamson County, the work on Hero Way—also known as RM 2243—will include two main lanes going each direction separated by a concrete barrier that will have a direct connection to 183A Toll, Ronald Reagan Boulevard and the Southwest Bypass, according to county documents. Additionally, the roadway will include two three-lane frontage roads with access ramps on either side of the main lanes.
The project will be done in three phases with Phase 1 being the construction of a single frontage road, which will serve two-way traffic until the other frontage road is built in a future phase, according to the county.
Phase 2 of the project will construct the other frontage road, leaving a median in the middle, Long said. The final phase will include the construction of the main lanes in the median space.
Long said an example that is similar to the Hero Way project is the 183A Toll project.
The Hero Way project is intended to provide better safety, plan for the future of Williamson County and alleviate congestion, according to the county.
“Leander’s real focus is this will allow them to solidify the footprint,” Long said. “And they’re hoping that this will open up that area for economic development for the city. Their focus for that area is not so much residential, but it’s more businesses, so I think that will be a big plus for the Leander portion of the community.”
Funded through the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, Williamson County and the city of Leander, the project will cost $68 million with Leander’s portion being $13.9 million.
Construction is anticipated to begin at the beginning of 2024.
“This is an example of the county working in partnership with our cities on projects that will bring safety improvements as well as, especially in Leander’s case, economic development opportunities to the community,” Long said.
Enhancing Hero Way
Design work on the three-phase project to expand and extend Hero Way—also known as RM 2243—will continue throughout 2023.
- Phase 1: Construction of one frontage road serving two-way traffic
- Phase 2: Construction of second frontage road with a median in between
- Phase 3: Construction of the main lanes in the median space
