A string of agreements between the city of Round Rock and Williamson County will bring major upgrades to thoroughfares in northeast Round Rock
Round Rock officials on Jan. 12 approved three interlocal agreements with the county to fund improvements to two segments of CR 112 and an extension of Old Settlers Boulevard.
CR 112 is split into two segments—a stretch from FM 1460/A.W. Grimes Boulevard to CR 117, and CR 117 to CR 110— which will be widened from a two-lane road to a six-lane urban roadway.
Among other benefits, the CR 112 upgrades will provide access to a planned housing development called Avery Centre, which is proposed to bring 335 townhomes and 339 single family homes to the area when completed.
Per the agreements, Williamson County will contribute a maximum of $7,993,500 for the FM 1460/A. W. Grimes Blvd. to CR 117 segment, and $9,496,000 for the CR 112/Avery Nelson Parkway from CR 117 to CR 110 segment. Williamson County documents stipulate the contributions may not exceed 50% of the total cost of the projects.
Round Rock officials have not specified a maximum funding amount for the three projects. Transportation Department Director Gary Hudder said that is partly because his department has not yet decided whether to bid out the widening of CR 112 as two separate projects or as one.
The county and city have brokered a third agreement for an extension of Old Settlers Boulevard to CR 110 that will run through the back of the Siena subdivision via an existing right-of-way.
Williamson County has committed $7,772,000 towards the project, also not to exceed 50% of total costs.
City Council awarded a $934,919 contract to Aguirre & Fields LP to finalize the roadway in October 2021. Construction services are included in the contract if they are deemed necessary.
- Timeline: TBD
- Cost: Up to $25.26 million from Williamson County, Round Rock TBD
- Funding Source: city of Round Rock, Williamson County
Three interlocal agreements will help improve and construct roads in Round Rock. Williamson County has committed to fund a total of up to $25.26 million for the three projects:
- Old Settlers Extension to CR 110: $7,772,000
- CR 112/Avery Nelson Parkway from FM 1460/A. W. Grimes Blvd. to CR 117: $7,993,500
- CR 112/Avery Nelson Parkway from CR 117 to CR 110: $9,496,000
2. New public transit routes to help usher in on-demand service
Commuters using public transit in Round Rock will now reach some destinations via new routes.
In advance of improvements to the city of Round Rock’s Transit Development Plan, the route changes to the city’s existing system went into effect Jan. 9.
Among the changes are the discontinuation of Capital Metro routes 150 and 51 within the city. Route 150 served commuters traveling to Howard Station, while Route 51 connected riders to St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center.
Riders can still make their way to Howard Station via Route 152 and Tech Ridge. Route 51 will be replaced by a mobility on demand service in the coming months, according to the city.
Route 152 will also run with increased frequency, about every 45 to 60 minutes between 6:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. Route 50, which previously ran down to La Frontera, also changed due to mobility on demand becoming available in that area.
Route 50 will now runs down Mays Street to Dell Technologies and Walmart, with a stop being added at the Texas State University-Round Rock campus.
The city of Round Rock began conducting its Transit Development Plan in the summer of 2021, according to the city.
Changes announced in January are part of a plan to introduce an on-demand public transit service option that residents can access through a mobile phone app. The service is expected to be announced soon, although no dates have yet been determined.
Disabled riders will be able to request curb-to-curb service through the app, replacing the previous ADA paratransit services offered, according to the city.
3. Gattis School Road widening
Round Rock City Council on Jan. 12 approved a utility relocation agreement with area utility provider Oncor to allow progress of the Gattis School Road segment 6 transportation projects. The agreement will allow 17 existing poles in a PUE easement to be relocated beyond the boundaries of the Gattis School Road widening. When completed, the section of Gattis School Rd. from Via Sonoma Trail to Red Bud Lane will be a six-lane divided arterial with intersection improvements.
- Timeline: early 2023-2024
- Funding source: City of Round Rock
- Cost: $16.3 million
4. E. Baghdad Ave
City officials on Jan. 12 amended a contract with Chasco Constructors for E. Bagdad Avenue that will include repairs to a fiber internet connection to City Hall, among other improvements. The city is also adding pedestrian sidewalks to the road. The additional repairs will cost $100,672, bringing the contract total to $1,425,096.
- Timeline: May 2022-Spring 2023
- Funding source: City of Round Rock
- Cost: $1.43 million
