Check out six upcoming or ongoing transportation projects around the Austin metro, including Phase 1 of Austin’s first light rail system, major work on the Congress Avenue and Burnet Road corridors, and other highway projects.
Upcoming projects
Project: The 10-mile Austin Light Rail is one part of the overall Project Connect transit program approved by voters in 2020. The rail system will initially feature 15 stations along the alignment and all-electric trains running every five to 10 minutes throughout most of the day, according to Austin Transit Partnership. Future extensions could see rail lines reach east to the airport and north to the Crestview area.
Update: Austin Transit Partnership approved a $60 million design-build contract with Austin Rail Constructors for the first phase of the project Feb. 18. ATP CEO Greg Canally said officials will now advance the design work and do pre-construction activities out in the field such as utility testing work.
Timeline: construction expected to begin in 2027Cost: $7.1 billionFunding sources: federal grants and infrastructure loans, Project Connect revenues, city taxesNew Hope Drive expansion
Project:
The traffic changes come as Cedar Park is working to expand New Hope Drive from four to six lanes and open an innovative intersection design at New Hope Drive and 183A Toll. The expansion will span from the west end of New Hope Drive near RM 1431 to Lakeline Boulevard.
Update: According to the city of Cedar Park, the project is in the design phase.
Timeline: expected completion summer 2027Cost: $1.8 millionFunding source: 2022 transportation bondUS 183 resurfacing
Project: The stretch of US 183 from San Gabriel Parkway to Cedar Park Drive in Leander will be repaved to improve roadway integrity and prevent future damage.
Update: According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the project is currently in the planning phase.
Timeline: 2027-28Cost: $5.5 millionFunding source: TxDOTOngoing projects
Project: The project will feature updated traffic signals, improved crossings, bus stop improvements, trail connections, curb extensions, drainage improvements, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant shared-use paths, raised medians and more on Burnet Road from White Horse Trail to US 183 (C2), Bright Verde Way to MoPac (C3) and US 183 to Bright Verde Way (C4).
Update: According to city officials, as of Feb. 2 the construction contract for C2 has been awarded, and work is expected to begin once the city issues a Notice to Proceed.
Timeline: 2026-28Cost: $12 million (C2), $29 million (C3), $23 million (C4)Funding source: 2016 Mobility BondCongress Avenue Urban Design Initiative
Project: The initiative includes a redesign of Congress Avenue to create a more pedestrian-friendly, multimodal configuration. Phase 1 of the project will include expanding sidewalks, adding pedestrian amenity zones, planting trees, upgrading bikeway barriers and adding turn lanes for vehicle traffic between Cesar Chavez and Seventh streets.
Update: Officials held a groundbreaking Jan. 30 to celebrate the start of construction. According to city officials, Phase 1 will cost $13 million and is expected to be substantially completed by summer 2027. Construction along each block is expected to take approximately three months to complete. Short-term lane closures and detours will be in place throughout construction, but pedestrian and business building access will remain open.
Timeline: 2026-30Cost: $29 millionFunding source: 2020 Mobility BondHero Way, RM 2243 expansion
Project:
The proposed project will transform Hero Way in Leander and RM 2243 in Georgetown into a divided, controlled-access highway from 183A Toll to Southwest Bypass. The existing rural two-lane roadway will be expanded into two main lanes running in each direction alongside two three-lane frontage roads.
Update: Williamson County officials broke ground on Phase 1A of the project Jan. 30. This phase will build the first frontage road from 183A Toll in Leander to Garey Park in Georgetown with one lane in each direction and a center turn lane. The ​​3.5-mile roadway will also include shared-use paths for cyclists and pedestrians. County officials plan to begin designing Phase 1B this year to extend the frontage road from Garey Park to Southwest Bypass. Additionally, design work is underway for Phase 2, which would connect 183A Toll to Ronald Reagan Boulevard.
Timeline: 2026-28 (Phase 1A), future phases TBDCost: $30 million (Phase 1A)Funding sources: federal funding, city of Leander (Phase 1A), future phases TBD
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