The city announced in January it would kick off a $240 million, five-year roadway improvement program to help tackle nearly a quarter of the $1.2 billion transportation master plan approved in October 2017. On deck for improvements are high-impact projects identified by the city as those with the most need, such as the heavily trafficked University Boulevard.
Against the backdrop of the coronavirus outbreak, Round Rock Transportation Director Gary Hudder said staff has been able to forge ahead with project timelines, despite some remote work.
"We would be hard-pressed to find anything remarkably different about the way we've continued to function our daily activity," Hudder said. "Beyond those kinds of operational, functional adjustments, we've continued and pushed on pretty much as we would have expected to."
A project to wide University Boulevard from I-35 to Sunrise Road went to bid for construction contracts in mid-June, Hudder said. Construction on that project is anticipated to break ground in the fall.
Work is also planned for the eastern portion of University, from A.W. Grimes Boulevard to SH 130. A bid for construction could be released early next year, Hudder said.
An extension of Logan Street from Greenlawn Boulevard to A.W. Grimes is steadily progressing, Hudder said. He added that the construction bid has been awarded to the contractor, who is currently waiting on supply line information related to beams for the bridge. Hudder said the notice to proceed has been given to the contractor, with work expected to begin in the near future.
The Kenney Fort Boulevard extension from Old Settlers Boulevard to Joe DiMaggio Boulevard is anticipated to break ground in spring 2021.
"We're very happy that council has stayed with the commitment to push this program forward, even with the challenges of the economic uncertainties of the moment," Hudder said. "It's necessary to get these projects done and not only to deal with our current congestion but to better prepare us for what ultimately will be imminent."
