The Leander "T" is a road construction project more than 10 years in the making. By spring 2013, San Gabriel Parkway and Mel Mathis Avenue will intersect in the heart of Leander's Transportation-Oriented District, a planned 2,000-acre urban community.

Sections of the San Gabriel Parkway extension were funded by various sources, including Williamson County, the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, private land owners, the City of Leander and the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority.

"Most of these projects are public-private partnerships," said Pix Howell, Leander urban design officer. "It's a lot of infrastructure being built with other peoples' money for the most part, so for the city of Leander, it's a good deal. The county has been gracious enough to put a bunch of money into it."

As part of the TOD plan, Mel Mathis Avenue features a modern design with urban features, including parallel parking on either side of the street. Howell said Mel Mathis will eventually have 22-foot wide sidewalks.

Hero Way, which connects to Old FM 2243, is slated for completion by fall 2012.