Light rail, corridor redesigns: 6 Austin metro transportation updates

Burnet Road Mobility Program

Project: The project will feature updated traffic signals, improved crossings, bus stop improvements, trail connections, curb extensions, drainage improvements, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant shared-use paths, raised medians and more on Burnet Road from White Horse Trail to US 183 (C2), Bright Verde Way to MoPac (C3) and US 183 to Bright Verde Way (C4).

Update: According to city officials, as of Feb. 2 the construction contract for C2 has been awarded, and work is expected to begin once the city issues a Notice to Proceed.

• Timeline: 2026-28
• Cost: $12 million (C2), $29 million (C3), $23 million (C4)
• Funding source: 2016 Mobility Bond

Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative

Project: The initiative includes a redesign of Congress Avenue to create a more pedestrian-friendly, multimodal configuration. Phase 1 of the project will include expanding sidewalks, adding pedestrian amenity zones, planting trees, upgrading bikeway barriers and adding turn lanes for vehicle traffic between Cesar Chavez and Seventh streets.

Update: Officials held a groundbreaking Jan. 30 to celebrate the start of construction. According to city officials, Phase 1 will cost $13 million and is expected to be substantially completed by summer 2027. Construction along each block is expected to take approximately three months to complete. Short-term lane closures and detours will be in place throughout construction, but pedestrian and business building access will remain open.

• Timeline: 2026-30
• Cost: $29 million
• Funding source: 2020 Mobility Bond

Hero Way, RM 2243 expansion

Project: The proposed project will transform Hero Way in Leander and RM 2243 in Georgetown into a divided, controlled-access highway from 183A Toll to Southwest Bypass. The existing rural two-lane roadway will be expanded into two main lanes running in each direction alongside two three-lane frontage roads.

Update: Williamson County officials broke ground on Phase 1A of the project Jan. 30. This phase will build the first frontage road from 183A Toll in Leander to Garey Park in Georgetown with one lane in each direction and a center turn lane. The ​​3.5-mile roadway will also include shared-use paths for cyclists and pedestrians. County officials plan to begin designing Phase 1B this year to extend the frontage road from Garey Park to Southwest Bypass. Additionally, design work is underway for Phase 2, which would connect 183A Toll to Ronald Reagan Boulevard.

• Timeline: 2026-28 (Phase 1A), future phases TBD
• Cost: $30 million (Phase 1A)
• Funding sources: federal funding, city of Leander (Phase 1A), future phases TBD