New Leander transportation plan outlines $320 million in road projects over 10 years

For the fast-growing city of Leander, plans for road projects, corridor studies, bike lanes, city trails and other transportation projects can be guided by the city’s new transportation master plan.

Leander City Council unanimously approved the transportation master plan May 6. The plan will help citizens, stakeholders and officials make decisions about future transportation projects, according to the approved plan. Current traffic volumes, crash data, roadways near developable vacant land and city build-out in 2060 were some of the factors considered.

The plan projects about $320 million in road projects over the next 10 years with a few projects for the city to consider each year. The study said total costs could be split with grant funding, development contributions, agencies or other sources.

Proposed projects include three corridor studies, six road widening projects, two turn lane and median projects, four new collector road projects and 10 intersection projects, according to the plan. The study also recommends annual allowances for intersections, restriping, traffic timing technology and sidewalks.

Projects in the 2021-22 fiscal year are estimated to cost $25.55 million and include:

• San Gabriel Parkway reconstruction to a four-lane road from Bagdad Road to 183A Toll ($18.8 million)
• Heritage Grove Road widening from the eastern end to the western end ($3.8 million)
• West Crystal Falls Parkway turn lanes and median modifications from Cantina Sky to Western Elementary Driveway ($500,000)
• RM 2243 corridor study from US 183 to the eastern extraterritorial jurisdiction limit ($500,000)
• Intersection allowance ($1 million)
• Restriping allowance ($250,000)
• Transportation technology allowance ($200,000)
• Sidewalk allowance ($500,000)

City Council approved the $250,000 transportation master plan contract with Kimley-Horn to look at how city growth is affecting Leander roads and to aid in planning future projects. The contract, funded from traffic impact analysis fees, was approved Aug. 6 and took seven months to complete.