Transportation projects update

Mobility and traffic improvements in our fast-growing city are a high priority for many of you. Three years ago, 75 percent of Georgetown voters approved a $105 million set of transportation projects to make key improvements. The election authorized the City to plan, design, or construct 20 transportation projects over 10 years.

Here’s an update on the 2015 transportation bond projects that are underway or starting soon, as well as some other current road projects.

Southwest Bypass

The City’s portion of the Southwest Bypass project is nearly complete. This 2.4-mile arterial is a north-south connector aligning with D.B. Wood Road and extending from University Avenue to Leander Road. The new $18.3 million road—the first 2015 bond project to start construction—will be completed and open to traffic this summer. Another segment of Southwest Bypass is being built by Williamson County. This segment connecting Leander Road to I-35 is slated to be complete in 2020. When finished, Southwest Bypass will create a loop around the southwest quadrant of the city from I-35 to University Avenue.

Rivery Boulevard Extension

This road extends Rivery Boulevard to the north from Williams Drive to Northwest Boulevard. Construction on this 2015 bond project begins this summer. The new four-lane road will provide an alternative to Williams Drive and offer another route in the busy area around Williams Drive and I-35. The road also provides a link from I-35 to the Rivery conference center and retail area and connects to a planned new bridge over I-35 at Northwest Boulevard.

Northwest Boulevard Bridge

The Northwest Boulevard project reconstructs the road from Fontana Drive to Austin Avenue and includes a new bridge over I-35. The bridge will be a new east-west connection over the interstate and an alternative to Williams Drive. This 2015 bond project connects with Rivery Boulevard to the west and FM 971 on the east. Design and right-of-way acquisition are nearing completion this summer. Construction is expected to begin this winter.

FM 971 realignment

Farm to Market 971 will be realigned from Austin Avenue eastward to Gann Street in order to connect with the Northwest Boulevard road and bridge project. This will allow FM 971 to link to Northwest Boulevard and become an east-west connection across I-35. Design work for this 2008 road bond project should be completed this summer.

FM 1460

The Farm to Market 1460 project by the Texas Department of Transportation is a new 3.5 mile highway segment from Quail Valley Drive to University Boulevard. The new four lane road also provides a north-south alternate and reliever to Interstate 35. Funding for the project includes $13 million in Georgetown 2008 transportation bonds as well $11.4 million in federal funding, $7.8 million in state funding, and $2.6 million from the City of Round Rock and Williamson County. The new roadway is expected to be complete later this year.

Airport Road

Airport Road is being reconstructed as a five-lane roadway from Lakeway Drive to Halmar Cove. The project is funded by the Georgetown Transportation Enhancement Corporation. Construction is scheduled to start this summer.

Sidewalks

Construction should begin later this year on new sidewalks along Seventh Street and Eighth Street between Maple and Church streets. The sidewalks will improve pedestrian and ADA accessibility between Southwestern University and the Square. An open house meeting was held on May 1 to get feedback on the project from affected property owners. The 2015 transportation bond package includes $10 million for sidewalks over 10 years to address priority projects identified in the Sidewalks Master Plan.

For updates on transportation projects, go to bonds.georgetown.org or follow the City of Georgetown on Facebook, Twitter, or Nextdoor.