Mobility and increased traffic consistently have been top issues cited by residents in Georgetown in citizen surveys. Since we can’t close a gate to keep people from moving to our wonderful city, our best option to address traffic is to implement mobility projects to keep us moving as our population grows.
Georgetown residents have a history of supporting projects to address our transportation needs. In 2015, Georgetown voters approved a $105 million bond for transportation and mobility projects. Two of the larger 2015 bond projects, Southwest Bypass and Rivery Boulevard Extension, have already been completed. Northwest Boulevard extension and bridge over I-35 is under construction and should be complete by early 2021.
Other transportation or mobility projects are being proposed, are in the planning stage, or are funded and in the process of being implemented. I’d like to share with you some details about projects in each of those categories respectively—road projects that are being proposed, bicycle projects that are in the planning phase, and pedestrian crossing improvements in Sun City that are funded and will be happening next year.
Williamson County Road Bond election
Residents will be voting on Williamson County bond election propositions on the Nov. 5 ballot. Proposition A includes road projects and Proposition B includes parks and recreation projects. The road projects in Proposition A include these projects in Georgetown:
• Southwest Bypass extension from State Highway 29 to Wolf Ranch Parkway would construct a roadway and include intersection improvements at SH 29.
• Southeast Inner Loop Extension from SH 29 to Sam Houston Avenue would construct a roadway with a bridge over SH 130.
• Four safety projects in Sun City include:
1) CR 245 from north of RM 2338 to Ronald Reagan Boulevard involving reconstructing and widening to four lanes,
2) Ronald Reagan Boulevard at Silver Spur Boulevard turn lanes involving constructing intersection improvements,
3) Ronald Reagan Boulevard at Sun City Boulevard turn lanes involving construction of intersection improvements, and,
4) SH 195 northbound off ramp at Ronald Reagan Boulevard involving construction of exit ramp. Go to wilco.org/bondelection to find out more about these projects and others on the November 5 ballot. Early in-person voting is Oct. 21-26 and Oct. 28 – Nov. 1. Go to wilco.org/elections for details on polling locations and hours.
Bicycle Master Plan
An initial draft of a Bicycle Master Plan for Georgetown presents a blueprint for future transportation projects to create a safe bicycle network in Georgetown. The plan includes a system of bike lanes on streets, off-street paths, and pavement markings or signs to indicate bicycle routes. The plan also includes ideas for bicycle rack locations, activities, signs, maps, and educational efforts to help bicycle mobility.
You can learn more and talk with City staff at a public open house on the Plan on October 23 at 6 p.m. at the Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. Eighth Street. After public input and review by several City boards and commissions, the Plan is scheduled for review and adoption by the City Council in November and December. Read the draft of the Plan and find out more about the review process at transportation.georgetown.org/bike-plan.
Pedestrian crossings in Sun City
City staff has worked with Sun City residents for the past year on ways to enhance pedestrian safety. As a result, the City Council approved funding last month to add pedestrian crossings with signal flashers at eight intersections on Sun City Boulevard and Del Webb Boulevard. The project will include pedestrian crossing signs as well as push-button activated flashing beacons to alert drivers to the presence of pedestrians. Walkers can push a button to activate the flashing lights and let drivers know that they are present. The beacons and signs are being ordered and manufactured. They should be installed early next year.
As you can see, mobility efforts in Georgetown include roads improvements for our vehicles as well as projects for bicyclists and pedestrians. In all these ways, we aim to keep you moving safely in our growing city.
