Transportation Updates1. I-35 access improvements

The project will provide enhancements to 2.3 miles of I-35, including the reconstruction of northbound and southbound frontage road intersections at I-35 and Hwy. 79, the addition of a third left-turn lane from westbound Hwy. 79 to southbound I-35 and the construction of braided ramps—a design in which one ramp crosses over the other—on northbound I-35 between Hester’s Crossing Road and RM 620.

Status: Construction began July 8, and traffic restrictions are in place. Initial work will focus on the Hwy. 79 and I-35 interchange. Timeline: July 2016-early 2019 Cost: $28.1 million Funding sources: Texas Department of Transportation

Transportation Updates2. Creek Bend Boulevard extension

The project will extend the existing four-lane, divided roadway over Brushy Creek and Hairy Man Road to connect with Brightwater Boulevard at Wyoming Springs Drive. It will include raised medians, sidewalks and bicycle accommodations. Round Rock officials said the extension will provide a north-south connection over Brushy Creek and reduce reliance on I-35 for motorists on the west side of the city.

Status: The concrete bridge deck is complete. Curbs and gutters are complete on the southbound section of the road, and the final surface is being prepared for pavement. Preliminary surface work is underway north of the bridge so curbs and gutters can be placed. Timeline: April 2015-late 2016 Cost: $8.1 million Funding sources: city of Round Rock

3. Heatherwilde Boulevard widening

This project provides for reconstruction and widening of the existing two-lane road into a four-lane, divided roadway with raised medians, turn lanes, drainage improvements, pedestrian facilities and a signal at Kingston Lacy Boulevard. Improvements also include the installation of new wastewater infrastructure and landscaping.

Status: The city closed intersections at Wilke Ridge Lane and Great Basin Avenue in June to continue roadway construction. Construction is underway on the future northbound lanes. Timeline: February 2016-mid-2017 Cost: $6.7 million Funding sources: 2014 Pflugerville bond package

4. FM 685 widening

FM 685 is receiving a major overhaul in Hutto between SH 130 and Hwy. 79. The road will be widened to accommodate shoulders, left-turn lanes and a median from Hwy. 79 to Riverwalk Drive. Two new bridges 12 feet higher than the current bridges will be built over Brushy Creek to reduce flooding of the roadway. The work is intended to improve traffic flow and safety.

Status: Crews expect to open the northbound lanes of the new roadway from Carl Stern Drive to Hwy. 79 by early August. Timeline: October 2014-November 2016 Cost: $11 million Funding sources: Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, city of Hutto, TxDOT

5. Arterial H extension

Williamson County is extending Arterial H to Sam Bass Road. This project includes the design of four lanes of Arterial H, and construction will consist of the northern two lanes. 

Status: Construction has begun following a groundbreaking for the project held June 24. Timeline: June 2016-early 2017 Cost: $3.2 million Funding sources: Williamson County voter-approved road bonds

6. FM 3406/Old Settlers Boulevard improvements

This project will enhance the intersections of FM 3406/Old Settlers Boulevard at Sam Bass Road and Oak Hollow and Bent Tree drives with left-turn lanes on FM 3406 in an attempt to improve safety and traffic flow. FM 3406 will also receive a right-turn lane at the Plantation Drive and Sam Bass intersections. Five-foot shoulders will be added throughout the project. A pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks and a sidewalk will also be constructed on the north side of FM 3406.

Status: The contractor has completed work on the south side of FM 3406 from Oak Hollow to Creek Bend Boulevard and on the north side from Plantation to Oak Hollow. Spring rain delayed construction, but the project is still scheduled to be complete later this summer. Timeline: August 2015-summer 2016 Cost: $4.7 million Funding sources: TxDOT, city of Round Rock

7. Carl Stern Drive extension

This project will extend Carl Stern Drive west of FM 685 and link it to SH 130. The developer of Carmel Creek, a mixed-use development through which the road will pass, is building the road, and Hutto will reimburse the developer for the cost of the road construction. The portion from FM 685 to Carmel Creek was completed in 2015.

Status: The portion of the extension to SH 130 is expected to open to traffic in mid-August. Crews are finishing paving and work on curbs. Timeline: summer 2014-August 2016 Cost: not to exceed $5 million Funding sources: city of Hutto, private developer

Transportation Updates8. Kennemer Drive maintenance

Kennemer Drive, from its intersection with Kelly Lane to Terradyne Drive, will be repaired and repaved. This project is a part of the city of Pflugerville’s annual street maintenance program. By installing a new layer of asphalt over the existing pavement, the city will be able to extend the pavement’s lifespan.

Status: Construction started in July following City Council’s approval of a bid June 28. Timeline: July-fall Cost: $861,595 Funding sources: city of Pflugerville

9. Downtown improvements

This project includes widening Mays Street from the railroad bridge south of downtown to the Brushy Creek bridge. It also realigned Main Street at its intersection with Mays. The project—which is intended to make the downtown area more pedestrian-friendly and destination-oriented—will focus on road improvements such as a new center left-turn lane on Mays in downtown. Crews are also installing trees, lighting and gateway features at the bridges over Brushy Creek and the railroad tracks.

Status: Final paving is complete on Main, Blair Street, Liberty Avenue and Round Rock Avenue, including the roundabout, which is now open to traffic. New signals have been installed and will soon be operational at the intersection of Anderson Avenue and Main. Crews are working on Main Street medians east of Mays. Gateway feature foundation work is complete, and construction of those features will begin soon. Timeline: March 2015-March 2017 Cost: $13.2 million Funding sources: city of Round Rock, federal grant funds