According to the county, the study was “rightsized, meaning it will consider updated alignments and a smaller ROW footprint than originally proposed.”
County Public Affairs Manager Connie Odom said in an email these updates could change the specific location of the future roadway. Additionally, she said the changes will narrow its ROW—the land needed for the project—which could reduce its overall affect.
In the release, the county said changes to the scope of the study were made after officials met with local property owners who would be affected by the corridor’s construction.
“When planning for new roadways, it's important to listen to the property owners and to take into account the regional needs of the area,” Precinct 2 Commissioner Cynthia Long said in the release. “After thorough conversations with the neighbors, discussions with Burnet County and further technical analysis, we have adjusted the study to better address the current needs of northwest Williamson County as well as the current regional needs.”
A map of Corridor I-2's proposed route is unavailable at this time because it needs to be updated to reflect the current discussion surrounding the study, Odom said. However, Odom said it will be located in the Liberty Hill area, connecting US 183 to Hwy. 29 and to the Burnet County line.
While the county was unable to provide the total cost of the study, it is funded by the 2019 Williamson County voter-approved road bond. The study—which looks at the effects of the roadway on area homes, businesses, water resources and landmarks—will be completed in late 2022 or early 2023, Odom said.
Once the study is completed, the county will meet with affected property owners to gather feedback before the road’s final footprint is set, according to the release.
Funding for roadway design, ROW acquisition and construction has not been identified and there is not a timeline for construction, Odom said.
“The road will be built as growth occurs, creating a need, and as funding becomes available,” Odom said in an email.
The Corridor I-2 Study comes as Williamson County plans for growth in the area over the next two decades.
Williamson County grew by 44% from 2010 to 2020, reaching 609,017 residents in 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Additionally, census data shows the city of Liberty Hill added 2,679 residents during the same time period—representing a 277% increase—and another 6,700 residential and commercial lots are under development in the area, according to the release.
The Corridor 1-2 study is part of Williamson County’s Long-Range Transportation Plan, which aims to improve connectivity and safety in the county as growth occurs.
