Round Rock moves forward with Hwy. 79 project
Round Rock City Council began the process to collaborate with the Texas Department of Transportation on a project to improve Hwy. 79. It approved a $1.3 million contract for the preliminary engineer work at its meeting Feb. 27.
The details
The Hwy. 79 project will create a six-lane divided roadway with a raised median and shared-use paths from IH 35 to AW Grimes Boulevard. There will also be an overpass over AW Grimes, with at-grade intersections everywhere else.
Because it is a state roadway, TxDOT will be responsible for at least 90% of right-of-way acquisition and dry utility relocations, with Round Rock responsible for the remaining 10%. TxDOT will also be responsible for all construction costs.
After HDR creates the initial design plans, the city will begin public outreach for the project.
“There will be disruption not only to the traffic for our citizens but for the businesses you see along this route,” Thane said. “This project’s not going to happen quickly. It’s going to take several years.”
Austin metro grows to 25th most populous in U.S.
The Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro area became the 25th largest in the country last year after continuing to rise in national rankings, boosted by the arrival of hundreds of thousands of new residents since the start of the decade.
Entering the 2020s, the Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area ranked as the 28th most populated in the U.S. with 2.3 million residents. Following years of steady population increases, the region ranked 25th with an estimated 2.55 million residents as of July 2024, a nearly 11% increase, according to new census estimates released in March.
The Greater Austin totals cover Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson counties.
WilCo releases new subdivision rules
Williamson County commissioners approved amendments to the county's subdivision regulations at a March 4 meeting.
Changes went into effect immediately. The subdivision regulations document was last revised Dec. 7, 2021, according to county documents.
In a nutshell
A new subdivision rule relates to turn lane and traffic impact analyses, and will mostly be triggered for larger developments. Development crews will be required to provide necessary safety improvements to address any impacts to their development.
Additional water and wastewater infrastructure requirements are also a part of the new regulations.
Prior to the approval of a final plot for off-site and major infrastructure, any necessary permits for creating a water system or wastewater permits must be in place. Additionally, the infrastructure's construction or bonding must take place prior to final plot approval.
One more thing
Transportation corridors that have been studied around the county will be documented within the subdivision regulations, as the county entered into a corridor agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation.The updated regulations also clarifies the county’s position on new municipal utility districts and MUD road maintenance, and addresses recent legislative changes.
Round Rock rezones 72 acres for subdivision
Round Rock City Council moved to rezone the Verona Tract at its meeting Feb. 27. Located in east Round Rock, the land can now be used for a traditional single family residential development.
The details
City Council originally annexed the land as a Planned Unit Development in May 2023. The new proposal includes detached homes in a range of lot sizes, as well as an amenity center.
