What they're saying: Williamson County Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey said the bridge was constructed to address past issues of flooding, improve traffic safety and provide safer access to the Brushy Creek Regional Trail. The creation of the four-lane bridge also allowed for up to 47 parking spaced to be added underneath.
The overview: The $11 million project to improve safety at the intersection of Great Oaks Drive and Brushy Creek Road/Hairy Man Road funded by voter-approved bond funds was completed in June. The old bridge connecting the two roadways over Brushy Creek was removed, with a new four-lane bridge taking its place. The bridge was constructed with left-turn lanes in all directions, and right-turn lanes were added for northbound to eastbound and eastbound to southbound traffic patterns, according to the county. The project raised concerns among some residents about its impact to the canopy of trees along Brushy Creek Road/Hairy Man Road, but Precinct 1 Commissioner Terry Cook said that as she drove in, she noted the area's beauty had not been diminished.
Quote of note: "We did not damage Hairy Man in making it safer," Precinct 1 Commissioner Terry Cook said.
