Road Construction Update - June, 2006

Road Construction Update - June, 2006

Wednesday, 07 June 2006

McNeil Rd. construction

Phase 2 of the Williamson Countys McNeil Rd. improvements from SH 45 to Howard Ln. are scheduled for completion in November of this year. The road will be widened to four lanes with 8 ft. paved shoulders suitable for biking, and the major curves will be taken out.

Grand Avenue Pkwy. construction

By June 12, Mo Mortazvi, project manager at Travis County Public Works transportation and natural resources, said all lanes of the road-widening job will be completed. Mortazvi reports that the two-year project planned to begin in April 2004 actually began construction in September 2004 making the June completion a little ahead of the projected schedule.

TxTAG now on sale

TxTag gives you easy access to toll roads throughout Texas, by letting you pay your tolls electronically from a prepaid account. This eliminates stopping at toll booths or searching for change.

Purchase a TxTag by visiting www.txtag.org or by calling 1-888-GoTxTag (1-888-468-9824). An initial payment of $20 is required for TxTag to work throughout Texas. An Account Management Card is provided to TxTag customers making it easy to check your account balance and make payments online or by phone.

SH 45 report

The Central Texas Turnpike Project is set for completion by September 2007. The Round Rock/Pflugerville area has been and will continue to be affected by construction on SH 45 and everything that goes with it, including road and ramp closures.

According to John Hurt, Austin District Public Affairs Office, all weekend closures have been completed for SH 45. Hurt said that the Public Affairs Office is trying to keep as many ramps and roads open as long as possible. SH 45 will be partially completed by the end of 2006 and the remainder by September 2007.

Within the next six months, the northbound Hester’s Crossing entrance ramp to IH 35 and the southbound Exit 250 ramp will be closed in order to complete SH 45 flyover ramps. The current Exit 250 ramp will be the exit to the main lanes of SH 45. The other ramps, including Exit 252 will possibly not be closed until SH 45 is ready for traffic. For more information, visit the website, www.centraltexasturnpike.org.

Hester’s Crossing and RM 620 construction receives county support

May 9, the Williamson County Commissioners committed $4 million for proposed improvements to IH 35 in and around the SH 45 interchange. These include U-turn structures at Hester’s Crossing and RM 620, as well as modifications to the frontage roads.

Many Williamson County citizens and businesses were concerned about the effects of the closure of the entrance and exit ramps on IH 35 and SH 45. The county is working with Representative Mike Krusee, TxDOT, and the City of Round Rock to identify solutions to the concerns.