Old FM 2243[/caption]1. Old FM 2243
The city of Leander is remodeling Old FM 2243 in a project expected to last 18 months that will widen the road from two to five lanes, including a center turn lane, between US 183 and a location just west of North Lakeline Boulevard. City Engineer Wayne Watts said crews are making adjustments to existing utility lines in April.
The project includes relocations of utility lines alongside the road and at the Old FM 2243 intersection with Bagdad Road. Crews will also convert existing drainage ditches to new storm sewers under new lanes. New or extended turn lanes are planned at existing cross streets and businesses.
Crews will keep at least one lane open in each direction throughout most of the project. Road closures are expected to occur at night or during low-traffic periods. Announcements and more information will be posted at the engineering department’s website, www.leandertx.gov/engineering.
Timeline: Jan. 4, 2016-October 2017
Cost: $24 million (estimated)
Funding sources: city of Leander, Williamson County (50 percent or up to $9.15 million)
Little Elm Trail[/caption]2. Little Elm Trail
The city of Cedar Park is finishing gaps in Little Elm Trail, making it a four-lane road that connects Bell and Lakeline boulevards. Darwin Marchell, Cedar Park director of engineering, said in April that crews are installing underground utilities such as electric, natural gas, sewer and water lines. Plans call for right-turn lanes to be added from Bell and Lakeline boulevards as well as from the existing Little Elm Trail. All four travel lanes may open by the end of 2016. Final paving for Little Elm is planned by spring 2017.
Timeline: December 2015-spring 2017
Cost: $7.06 million
Funding sources: city of Cedar Park ($2.98 million); Cedar Park Community Development Corp., also known as the 4B Board ($550,000); Williamson County ($3.53 million)
3. Cypress Creek Road/Lakeline Boulevard intersection project
The city of Cedar Park’s project includes extended dual left-turn lanes and widened existing left- and right-turn lanes on north- and southbound Lakeline Boulevard, which includes adding a lane to a bridge on Lakeline. Crews are adding medians and two new right-turn lanes each on east- and westbound Cypress Creek Road. In April, Marchell said work on the Lakeline portion was delayed so crews could wait for concrete to cure on a deck added to the Lakeline bridge. Left-turn lanes on Cypress Creek will open after Lakeline medians are modified, he said.
Timeline: June 2015-May 2016
Cost: $2.2 million
Funding sources: city of Cedar Park, Williamson County
4. East Whitestone Boulevard pass-through project
The city of Cedar Park is rebuilding East Whitestone Boulevard between Market Street and CR 175/Sam Bass Road. Crews are widening the road from four to six lanes and lengthening turn lanes on East Whitestone for Toro Grande Drive as well as Raley and Sam Bass roads. The project includes a rebuilt intersection of East Whitestone and Parmer Lane/Ronald Reagan Boulevard. The new intersection will be a continuous-flow intersection, or CFI. When the CFI is finished, drivers on East Whitestone will use separate left-turn lanes to turn left to Parmer or Ronald Reagan. As of April 13 the Texas Department of Transportation listed the project as about 65 percent complete.
Timeline: August 2014-August 2016
Cost: $22 million
Funding sources: city of Cedar Park (TxDOT will reimburse 80 percent of actual construction costs),
Williamson County
5. North Bagdad Road widening
The city of Leander is designing a project to widen Bagdad Road from two to five lanes, including a center turn lane, between Old FM 2243 and CR 280. The project will include the addition of new storm sewers, sidewalks and utilities to both sides of the road. As of mid-April the city has acquired most needed rights of way and is planning to review plans with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Timeline: September 2016-March 2018
Cost: $13 million (estimated)
Funding sources: city of Leander, Williamson County (50 percent or up to $4.9 million)
