TRANSPORTATION
Updates on key projects
2 0 2 2 A N N U A L C O M M U N I T Y G U I D E
OTHER PROJECTS TO FOLLOW IN 2022
TOP STORIES TO WATCH IN 2022
Transit study shows costs, alternatives to service
RONALD REAGAN BLVD.
SAM BASS RD.
183A TOLL
BY TAYLOR GIRTMAN
RISING COSTS
Declining ridership as a result of the pandemic signi cantly increased the cost per resident to provide rail service in the city of Leander by over 500%.
Findings from a Leander transit study showed the nancial impact the pandemic had on Capital Metro service costs and presented alternative transit options for the city’s sales tax-based program. Leander City Council rst discussed placing the city’s Capital Metro involvement on a future ballot in May 2020 for voters to decide whether to stay in or leave the public transportation provider. Council later requested additional data regarding Capital Metro involvement in Leander. The Goodman Corp., a Houston-based rm, presented transit study ndings to Leander City Council on Dec. 16. Leander residents have access to Metro Pickup service, Metro Rail service and MetroExpress bus service. Capital Metro ridership dropped about 85% due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic, each trip cost about $39 per Leander resident. This was in line with the Capital Metro and national averages, said Robert McHaney, a representative from The Goodman Corp. But the cost per trip increased to $214 per trip this fall. Peer cities in Texas contribute $2 million-$3 million to transit, McHaney said. But Leander is projected to spend
NEW HOPE DR.
$214
N
Pre-pandmeic 2019 Fall 2021
New Hope Drive extension This project will extend New Hope Drive from Ronald Reagan Boulevard to Sam Bass Road. The new road will be a four-lane divided roadway with a shared-use path and bike lanes. The project is expected to go to bid in spring 2022, and construction will start in summer 2022, according to the city. Timeline: summer 2022-2023 Cost: $18.4 million Funding sources: Cedar Park 2015 vot- er-approved bond, Williamson County
$55
$51
$47
$41 $34
$39
$34
City of Leander
Capital Metro service area
Texas average
National average
SOURCE: THE GOODMAN CORP. COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
$9.8 million on transit in 2021 based on sales tax. The study rm recommended implementing a full turn- key transit model if the city left the Capital Metro program. Transit scenarios ranged from $1.2 million-$2.9 million depending on the number of trips o ered and employees. Models did not include rail service, which would cost about $10 million per year to contract.
SCOTTSDALE DR.
183A TOLL
Bell Boulevard project to nish in January
CURRENT ALIGNMENT
N
183A TOLL
BY TAYLOR GIRTMAN
A majority of road work on the Bell Boulevard realignment is expected to be complete by the end of January, according to the city of Cedar Park. The project moves a section of Bell Boulevard to the alignment of Old US 183 between Buttercup Creek Bou- levard and Cedar Park Drive. Lanes were shifted to the new alignment in August. In December, road striping was completed, according to the city.
Remaining work includes construc- tion over the Capital Metro line on East Park Street, minor paving, sidewalk tie-ins, curb and gutter tie-ins, landscaping, and additional striping and signage. The nal asphalt layer will be paved in the summer because it can- not be placed in winter temperatures, according to the city. The $26.1 million road project began in October 2020 and is funded
Scottsdale Drive extension The two-part, developer-driven project will extend Scottsdale Drive from 183A Toll frontage roads to New Hope Drive, according to the city of Cedar Park. Timeline: 2022-TBD Cost: $4.79 million Funding sources: New Hope Corporate Center, Toyota of Cedar Park
OLD ALIGNMENT
183
N
through 2015 voter-approved general obligation bonds. The road realignment is a critical project to the $350 million Bell District, which will develop the adjacent area into a mixed-use development.
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CEDAR PARK LEANDER EDITION • JANUARY 2022
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