Transportation
BY ZACHARIA WASHINGTON
Leander council closes CR 177 low-water crossing After months of discussion, community outreach and data collection, Leander o cials decided Dec. 7 to close the low-water crossing portion of CR 177. The overview The city began closing the road and updating the signage on Dec. 18, and the project was completed by Dec. 20. Public Works Director Gina Ellison said it was estimated to cost the city $1,250. Quote of note “I remember when Leander was a really small town, and I appreciate these nice little two-lane roads and the one-lane bridges—makes you feel like you’re still in a small community,” council member David McDonald said. “Unfortunately, our growth has exceeded our infrastructure—I know we’re just experiencing our growing pains. I’m in favor of this closure.”
Downtown turn lanes added in Liberty Hill Over the course of three days in Decem- ber, left-turn lanes were added at the intersection of Main Street and RM 1869 in order to improve the ow of tra c. The background Project Manager James Herrera said at a Nov. 29 City Council meeting the part of the project involving widening the roadway occurred rst. In order to widen the road, on-street parking spaces on Main Street were removed. The improvements coincide with the recently-opened roundabout, located where Main Street, CR 279 and Munro Street meet. Following the completion of the turn lanes, Main Street looks like one continuous road- way from RM 1869 through the roundabout portion, city o cials said.
Due to its poor, narrow condition, Leander City Council voted to close the CR 177 low-water crossing over Brushy Creek permanently.
ZACHARIA WASHINGTON COMMUNITY IMPACT
How we got here Over ve days this fall, city sta gathered tra c data near the low-water crossing and the inter- section of CR 177 and Ronald Reagan Boulevard. O cials said the data revealed with the existing, local tra c in the area in addition to two planned developments nearby, the closure of the road would provide some relief. During an October meeting, Ellison cited instances of drivers cutting the gates when they were closed with the assumption that it was safe.
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