Williamson County and the city of Leander opened a new extension of Lakeline Boulevard on April 27. The new North Lakeline Boulevard includes a 1.3-mile two-lane road from Old Quarry Road, near the Mason Hills subdivision north of Crystal Falls Parkway, to meet Old FM 2243.

Precinct 2 County Commissioner Cynthia Long said the opening follows 10 years of planning.

"This one is really important [not only] for the city of Leander in particular, but for mobility for the entire county," Long said. "[County leaders] have really been focusing on major arterials. Lakeline now begins in Leander and ends in Austin. So this is going to be a major roadway."

Work on the extension began in spring 2014 and was substantially finished on April 10.

Leander and the county split the construction cost of about $2.8 million. The city and affected landowners also shared $1 million to acquire rights of way, Leander Mayor Chris Fielder said.

More northwest Leander projects

The Lakeline extension has two lanes, but full build-out calls for a four-lane road, Fielder said. County planners also anticipate a future extension of Lakeline from Old FM 2243 to intersect with a future extension of San Gabriel Parkway but project dates have not yet been announced.

Leander Assistant City Manager Tom Yantis said the city and county are also moving closer to project to widen Old FM 2243 from US 183 to about 200 feet past the Lakeline intersection.

City Engineer Wayne Watts said the project may begin in September and last about 18 months. Crews will widen the two-lane road to four lanes with a center turn lane. Watts said the project would also include costly relocations of utility lines and storm sewers under the new lanes.

The city and county will split an estimated construction cost of $20 million, he said.

Old FM 2243 construction could begin simultaneously with another project to extend Bagdad Road from Old FM 2243 to CR 280, Watts said.

All the new projects combined will promote development in northwest Leander, he said.

"Ten years from now this [area] may all be subdivisions [and] commercial," Watts said. "It's not a matter of if, it's just a matter of when. It's going to happen."