The City of Cedar Park's gateway sign project is moving forward after City Council voted in January to erect two of the five signs originally planned.

Staff are preparing construction plans for the first sign along FM 1431 near Sam Bass Road, with construction slated to begin in late spring or early summer, Assistant City Manager Sam Roberts said. Construction on the second sign, to be located along Toll 183A at Brushy Creek Road, is expected to begin later this year.

Mayor Matt Powell said putting up two of the five signs originally planned allows the city flexibility and possible cost savings.

"I would like to make sure this looks good and accomplishes what we want it to do before we do further expenditures on all of them," he said. "The idea was to see this rolled out over time as the budget allows and as [the signs] were performing."

Originally, the total cost for all five signs was about $500,000, funded by the 4B economic and community development corporation. However, Roberts said the cost for each will now be closer to $75,000, though landscape variances could alter the price of each individual sign. The cost of backlighting and upkeep should be minimal, he said.

"We are using the most drought-tolerant plants that are available. We want plants that once they are established, they essentially will need no watering after that," Roberts said. "Electricity costs will be minimal, probably about $10 per month."

There is no timeline for council approval or construction on the remaining three gateway signs. They are planned for US 183 near Avery Ranch Boulevard, the Park Street overpass on Toll 183A and Toll 183A in front of the Cedar Park Center.

"Right now we're just focusing on the first two signs," Roberts said.