Construction on Hero Way West in Leander was finished in November. In January 2016 the city of Leander began its most expensive transportation project overseen by city staff to date—expanding Hero Way West from two to five lanes between US 183 and a location just west of North Lakeline Boulevard. “This is the most complex project the city of Leander has ever undertaken,” Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Seiler said at a ribbon cutting for the roadway Nov. 20 at Cherry Creek Catfish Restaurant in Leander. The city budgeted $28 million for the project, of which the city has already spent $24.9 million, Leander spokesperson Michael Neu said. An additional $3.1 million is left to be paid out by the end of the year, he said. The roadway was included in Williamson County’s list of road bond projects for Precinct 2. The county reimbursed Leander $9.15 million for Hero Way West, bringing the city’s total cost to approximately $18.85 million. “We wouldn’t be here today had it not been for the voters of Leander and the voters of Williamson County saying yes, we do not want to look like our neighbors to the south, we want to be different and we want to be aggressive and we want to be out in front of transportation challenges,” Williamson County Precinct 2 Commissioner Cynthia Long said at the event. In October 2015, Leander City Council approved a contract allowing for construction to begin on the road, Neu said. The expansion and new center turn lane was intended to make the road safer for drivers as new businesses and residential projects create increased traffic. For Franchise Manager Anthony Lucero and Marketing Manager Bonnie Spencer at Smokey Mo’s Bar-B-Q on Hero Way West, the project’s completion signals improved safety and sales. “By opening up Hero Way West it will enhance our business because it will allow additional traffic flow, allowing people to travel to Leander,” Spencer said. She said that while construction was ongoing customers avoided Hero Way West, so business suffered during that time. When details of the project were established in 2015, its timeline estimated the road would be finished by the end of August 2017, Neu said. There were minor changes to the project scope since then, he said, including adjustments to sidewalks, business driveways and utility lines. Brief delays were also caused by inclement weather.