Transportation
BY KAIYA LITTLE & HALEY MCLEOD
New Hope Drive project underway
County begins Ronald Reagan Blvd. expansion Williamson County officials celebrated the beginning of construction on the expansion of Ronald Reagan Boulevard on Aug. 26. About the project From Hwy. 29 to FM 3405, contractors will build a new two-lane roadway that will eventu- ally serve southbound traffic only, according to a county news release. The existing road will then be transformed to serve all northbound traffic. The project also includes turn lanes, a middle divider and shoulders. “We are excited to break ground on the expan- sion of and safety improvements on this section of Ronald Reagan. It will provide welcome relief to the residents in the area and the commuters who use this road daily,” Precinct 2 Commissioner Cynthia Long said in a news release. Funding for the $52.1 million project was
3405
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Construction on a two-and-a-half-year project to expand New Hope Drive from Blockhouse Drive to CR 180 and add an innovative, or nontraditional, intersection at 183A Toll began Sept. 16. What to expect Once fully completed, the existing four lanes will be expanded to six lanes. Addition- ally, the innovative intersection, which will feature a design similar to the one at Whites- tone Boulevard and Parmer Lane, is intended to limit travel delays and add capacity, according to a Cedar Park news release. To kick off the project, the medians along New Hope Drive were removed in mid-Sep- tember. Detours will be constructed to keep two lanes in each direction as drainage pipes are placed beneath the road.
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approved by voters in 2019 as part of the Williamson County road bond, which totaled $412 million. The Texas Department of Transportation, local developers and the city of Georgetown also contributed toward right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation costs. Looking ahead Construction on this section of Ronald Reagan is expected to be completed by summer 2027, according to the release.
This Pedestrian Safety Month, the Mobility Authority wants to help you stay two steps ahead. Use these tips to keep walkers, runners and cyclists safe.
MOTORISTS
PEDESTRIANS
• Stay alert at intersections for pedestrians. • Slow down in neighborhoods and school zones. • Avoid distractions like cell phones to stay focused. • Leave space between your car and the crosswalk at stops.
• Look both ways and make eye contact before crossing. • Cross at corners and follow signals. • Walk facing traffic if there is no sidewalk. • Wear high-visibility clothing.
MORE THAN MILES
www.MobilityAuthority.com
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