$3.6M reconstruction project approved for Pflugerville's Old Austin-Hutto Road

Pflugerville City Council voted Oct. 27 to award a $3.6 million reconstruction contract to Smith Contracting Co., Inc. for upcoming work on Old Austin-Hutto Road. The city received eight bids for the project as of Oct. 15, City Engineer Patricia Davis said, with Smith Contracting's bid denoted as the lowest received.

The project is outlined to provide a three-lane roadway on Old Austin-Hutto Road along the length of the project scope, which runs from Pecan Street north to FM 685, per city documents.

The reconstruction work also includes the addition of a roundabout, paving, curb and gutter enhancements as well as work on sidewalks, driveways and storm drains, according to city documents.

The reconstruction project was funded through the 2018 bond election, which dedicated $3.6 million to the roadway construction. A 2016 certificates of obligation issued included $175,000 in parking lot improvements, also addressed in the now-approved reconstruction project.

The project is anticipated to last 13 months, Davis said, and will be completed in three segments: Old Austin-Hutto Road to Poppy Pass; Poppy Pass to Firebush Drive; and Firebush Drive to FM 685. Public information notices have been prepared for area residents and commercial entities and will be distributed prior to the start of construction, per city documents. Davis added that driveway access must be maintained for any businesses or residential dwellings within the project's scope throughout the duration of construction.

Both Davis and Mayor Victor Gonzales said it has been a project long in the making, with each adding they are happy to see the reconstruction work coming to fruition.

“It’s taken us a while to get here, so I’m glad we’re here," Gonzales said.