What you need to know
To increase the efficiency and safety of the roadway, medians and designated turn lanes will be installed on Williams Drive from Austin Avenue to Jim Hogg Road in Georgetown, according to city documents.
A study conducted on Williams Drive in 2017 concluded traffic operations and safety of the road were affected by a “lack of access management,” according to the city, with corridorwide center turn lanes and more than 150 curb cuts.
The backstory
The city began this project with data collection in late 2022, which was followed by a data analyzation and public involvement period that lasted throughout 2023.
Multiple sources will fund the Williams Drive enhancement project, including Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Texas Department of Transportation and the city’s 2021 road bond—which provides $10.4 million for access management improvements.
What's next?
“I think that, unfortunately, there's a lot of driveways in this roadway. And we're going to have to close some of them,” Council Member Amanda Parr said at the Aug. 22 workshop meeting.
Due to the decision to close a lot of the driveways along the corridor, council recommended engineering consultant RPS Group—the company conducting work on the project—continue to meet with property owners and stakeholders located within the project boundaries.
Additional next steps include:
- The project’s estimated cost is expected to be available in September.
- The finalized project design is scheduled for spring 2024.
- In summer 2024, the project is anticipated to go out for bidding.
- Construction is planned to begin in winter 2024.
