After facing numerous weather delays, construction on North Brushy Street is expected to be complete by May at the latest, according to City Engineer Wayne Watts. Improvements to North Brushy began in June and include reconstruction of two blocks of the street, construction of sidewalks and landscaping, the installation of a storm drainage system and additional parking, and more. Funding for the $1.9 million project, which is located in Old Town Leander, comes from Leander general obligation bonds. Watts said the goal of the streetscape project is to improve the aesthetics and land values in the area. “It improves the usefulness and attractiveness of the area for city events, chamber [of commerce] events, Christmas festivals and spring festivals,” Watts said. “It basically brings us into a more modern look.” Although the project was expected to be substantially complete in December, Watts said rain has caused continued delays. He said paving is expected to be complete in late March, and landscaping should be complete in April. The goal, Watts said, is that everything is finished by May, in time for the annual Old Town Street Festival, which is scheduled for May 18. Several businesses are located on the portion of North Brushy that is under construction, including the Leander Beer Market and Bella’s Beauty Salon. Genc Krasniqi, co-owner of Leander Beer Market, said since construction began, sales have dropped about 40 percent. However, he said he is excited for what the project has in store. “It will make a tremendous impact and make the city look good. ...” Krasniqi said. “We support it and were very excited about it from day one.”

Other ongoing projects in 2019

Anderson Mill Road reconstruction: Phase 1 of the $7 million reconstruction project realigns Anderson Mill from FM 1431 south to Gaspar Bend. Paving began Jan. 9, according to Cedar Park spokesperson Jennie Huerta. Estimated timeline: January 2017-January 2019 Raider Way and East Woodview Drive improvements: Plans for the project, which is intended to improve traffic flow around Wiley Middle School and Rouse High School, are 90 percent complete, Leander City Manager Kent Cagle said at a Jan. 3 City Council meeting. Estimated timeline: June 2019-end of 2020 San Gabriel Parkway extension: The project, which costs Leander $1.56 million, connects San Gabriel from CR 270 to Ronald Reagan Boulevard. Cagle said at a Jan. 3 meeting that the project is now under construction and is expected to be complete by June 2020. Estimated timeline: November 2018-June 2020