Flood readiness, water infrastructure and public transit: Catch up on these 5 Cedar Park local government updates

Check out these five recent local government updates impacting Cedar Park, including water infrastructure projects, a public transit program nearing launch and flood warning funding.

1. City Council approves new playbook for Cedar Park roads

Cedar Park officials approved the city’s new Transportation Criteria Manual on Feb. 12, a document that outlines guidelines and requirements for future transportation projects.

"Transportation in the city of Cedar Park is a vital component of public health, safety and welfare because the system of streets, sidewalks and other accessways allows people to safely move about the city," the document states.

The manual is the city’s playbook for how roads and transportation projects should be planned and built, according to city documents. It lays out clear steps for reviewing and approving street, sidewalk and development work so everything connects properly and follows city rules as the community grows.

2. Regional deep-water intake project a step closer to finish line

A project to draw water from the deepest parts of Lake Travis to supply the Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority—which serves Cedar Park, Round Rock and Leander—has taken another step forward, with crews recently completing upgrades to the raw waterline along Trails End Road, according to an update from the city of Leander on Feb. 5.

Leander Communications Manager Ty Meighan said work on the raw waterline included tying the Sandy Creek and BCRUA water treatment plants into the pipeline and performing repairs.

Once completed, the BCRUA’s Raw Water Intake project will have the capacity to pump 145 million gallons of raw water from the lake per day.

3. Cedar Park wins grant for reclaimed water system improvements

The Lower Colorado River Authority awarded a $100,000 grant to the city of Cedar Park to help fund improvements to the city’s reclaimed water system. LCRA water conservation coordinator Stacy Pandey presented a check to City Council on Feb. 12.

Eric Rauschuber, the city's director of public works and utilities, said a project to expand the production capacity of the reclaimed water system and use it to irrigate local parks is currently in the design process.

This is the first phase of an effort to rehabilitate and expand the city's water reclamation facility, city documents show.

4. Cedar Park on-demand rides program to launch April 2

Cedar Park’s microtransit pilot program will be named Link Cedar Park with the slogan “Tap. Call. Ride.”

Fran Irwin, director of communications and engagement for the city, unveiled the branding in a presentation Feb. 26.

The city is testing the technology for the program in March, ahead of its scheduled launch April 2, according to Randy Skinner, assistant director of transportation.

The microtransit pilot program consists of two main elements:

• Wheelchair-accessible rides for residents with disabilities through zTrip
• Subsidized Uber rides for able-bodied people

The program will be open 24/7 to anybody riding within the Cedar Park city limits and to or from CapMetro’s Lakeline Station.

Riders will pay $5 per ride, plus a possible additional charge depending on the price of the ride. Each user may take up to 10 subsidized trips per month.

Similar programs exist in other cities in the Austin metro area, including Round Rock, Pflugerville and Kyle.

5. $1M in federal funding could provide flood warning equipment in Williamson County

A grant from the Texas Water Development Board could allow Williamson County officials to purchase and install $1 million of flood warning equipment in areas vulnerable to flash floods.

Commissioners approved the grant agreement at a Feb. 10 meeting, allowing the Office of Emergency Management to start project plans.

The grant could provide outdoor warning sirens, flood gauges and sensors as well as communication software testing training, Emergency Management Director Bruce Clements said at the meeting.

The OEM will identify locations most prone to flooding in the county to come up with a project proposal for the grant. Proposals are due to the TWDB by Dec. 31.