1. RM 2243 turn lane addition
A project to improve the intersection at RM 2243, also known as Leander Road, and Escalera Parkway began in July. The project includes the addition of a right-turn lane from westbound RM 2243 to Escalera.
Timeline: July-November Cost: $355,279 Funding sources: Williamson County road bond
2. Hwy. 29 deceleration lane
Aaron Concrete began construction in July on Williamson County’s project to add a deceleration lane on Hwy. 29 at Cedar Hollow Road. The project is expected to improve safety for vehicles turning right from westbound Hwy. 29 to Cedar Hollow.
Timeline: July-November Cost: $355,279 Funding sources: Williamson County road bond
3. Southwest Bypass and Wolf Ranch Parkway construction
The city of Georgetown broke ground in June on the project to build the Southwest Bypass and Wolf Ranch Parkway extension, which will connect Hwy. 29 at D.B. Wood Road to Leander Road. Georgetown voters approved funding for the project as part of a $105 million road bond in May 2015. Williamson County will continue the bypass from Leander Road to I-35. Design work by contractor HDR is underway on the county’s portion. Construction on the connection points for the county’s portion of the new roadway was completed in July.
Timeline: June 2016-mid-2018 Cost: $18.3 million Funding sources: city of Georgetown 2015 road bond
4. Mays Street extension
The city of Georgetown broke ground on a project to extend Mays Street from Teravista Parkway and Bass Pro Drive in Round Rock to the intersection of Westinghouse and Rabbit Hill roads in Georgetown in late August. City Council approved the construction contract at its Aug. 9 meeting. Georgetown and Round Rock city councils previously approved an interlocal agreement for the project. The city’s plans will connect with Williamson County’s plans to extend Mays north from Paloma Drive in Round Rock. Once both sections are completed, Oakmont Drive is expected to be renamed as Mays Street to create a continuous roadway from Hesters Crossing Road in Round Rock to Westinghouse in Georgetown. The roadway is expected to help economic development in the area.
Timeline: late August 2016-summer 2017 Cost: $6.4 million Funding sources: cities of Georgetown and Round Rock
5. FM 1460 expansion
Construction to widen FM 1460 to a four-lane divided roadway with center median from Quail Valley Drive in Georgetown to just north of University Boulevard in Round Rock continues. The project is being overseen by the Texas Department of Transportation. Traffic patterns on Quail Valley have changed because of construction. Officials urge drivers to watch for changing road conditions.
Timeline: February 2016-winter 2017/2018 Cost: $21.5 million Funding sources: cities of Georgetown and Round Rock, TxDOT, Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, Williamson County
6. FM 971 at Austin Avenue
Construction to realign and make improvements to the intersection of FM 971 and Austin Avenue was expected to begin this fall; however, the city is still in discussions with TxDOT for construction agreements, Georgetown Transportation Services Director Ed Polasek said. The project is expected to align the intersection with the planned Northwest Boulevard bridge, which will span I-35. The FM 971 intersection improvements will also include a pedestrian tunnel along the east side of Austin Avenue. In March 2015 the city completed improvements in San Gabriel Park near the intersection to make room for the roadway improvements. TxDOT will complete the construction.
Timeline: TBD Cost: $4 million Funding sources: city of Georgetown 2008 road bond
7. FM 972 Phase 1 improvements
TxDOT is rehabilitating pavement, adding shoulders and improving safety along FM 972 from I-35 to Hwy. 95 north of Granger. The project is divided into phases. The first, between I-35 and just west of CR 150, is under construction and could be completed in spring 2017. The second phase from just west of CR 150 to Opossum Creek is expected to cost $3.7 million, and TxDOT is expected to seek bids for the project in June 2017. The final phase, estimated to cost $4.8 million, from Opossum Creek to Hwy. 95 north of Granger could be bid upon in September 2019, TxDOT spokesperson Kelli Reyna said.
Timeline: January 2016-spring 2017 Cost: $4.1 million Funding sources: TxDOT
