The Round Rock City Council approved a $7.2 million contract for the reconstruction of Chisholm Trail Road May 24, reigniting a project that had long been on hold to accommodate a potential retail development.

However, a project representative said a development is still in the works.

Development delayed

Representatives for Highland Resources Inc.—a development company that owns nearly 140 acres along Chisholm Trail Road south of FM 3406—had approached city officials in late 2010 to try to accommodate a potential retail center, a move that could have meant bending Chisholm Trail Road farther to the west around the property.

But when no development materialized and the city began a major roadway construction push with its five-year transportation plan, the city opted to move forward with the project.

"We wanted to accommodate the developer as much as possible, but we couldn't wait forever," Round Rock Transportation Planner John Dean said.

Originally, plans had called for Chisholm Trail Road to be reconstructed in two phases, a north section and a south section. The south section would have not been affected by any development, but the northern section could have been curved west away from I-35 around the property.

A development of some kind, however, appears to still be a possibility.

"We're still working on it. There was no reason to delay [the road,]" said David Bodenman, who represents the property for Highland Resources. "We're working with the city and moving forward, albeit slowly."

Chisholm Trail project

The contract approved by the city allows Cash Construction Co. to move forward with the reconstruction of Chisholm Trail Road into a five-lane roadway as soon as the end of June, Project Manager Bill Stablein said.

The project will also connect Chisholm Parkway to Chisholm Trail Road from the I-35 frontage road.

The $7.2 million project—which covers construction costs—is expected to take up to 24 months, Stablein said, though he said it could be completed sooner. Dean said that timeline could change slightly depending on whether the city opts to close down the road for some period of time.

Stablein also said the north end of the road would be closed to through traffic until the bridge portion of the road is completed.

Cash Construction Co. was the lowest bidder out of four companies that vied for the project. Bids ranged from the low of $7.2 million to nearly $8.3 million.