The Round Rock City Council approved two agreements with Williamson County on March 12 aimed at advancing major roadway projects across the city, including the Deep Wood Drive extension and additional segments of Kenney Fort Boulevard.

Both measures establish cost-sharing partnerships with the county for transportation projects the city plans to submit for federal transportation funding distributed through the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, or CAMPO.

A closer look

The first agreement allows the city to partner with Williamson County on the Deep Wood Drive extension, which would connect RM 620 to Sam Bass Road.

The project would extend the roadway across Brushy Creek, creating a new four-lane connection between the two corridors, according to city staff.

Public Works Director Michael Thane said the county has agreed to contribute up to $11 million toward the project, which is currently estimated to cost about $16.2 million.

Round Rock has applied for approximately $9.7 million in funding through CAMPO.

“If we do get the CAMPO money, then whatever the remaining cost is to build the road for construction, we will split that cost with the county 50-50,” Thane said.

The council approved the agreement unanimously.

Also of note

In a separate vote, council members approved a similar agreement for Segments 5 and 6 of Kenney Fort Boulevard, another long-planned roadway corridor in Round Rock.

Segment 5 would extend north from Old Settlers Boulevard to County Road 112, while Segment 6 would continue the roadway north toward University Boulevard, Thane said.

The two segments carry a combined construction estimate of about $35 million.

Round Rock has applied for $21 million in CAMPO funding for the project. If the grant is awarded, the remaining cost would be split between the city and Williamson County.

Thane said the county has committed up to $9 million toward the two segments.

City officials said the project is currently in the design phase, with right-of-way acquisition expected to continue through the year before construction can begin.

Council member Rene Flores asked how likely the city was to receive CAMPO funding, given the competition.

Thane said roughly $330 million is available through the regional program, but cities across the region have submitted about $1 billion in requests.

“If all things are equal, we’ll get about a third,” Thane said, noting Round Rock applied for funding for four projects totaling about $55 million, including the Deep Wood Drive extension and Kenney Fort Boulevard segments.

Thane said the city believes its proposals are competitive because the projects are nearing construction readiness and Round Rock committed 40% local funding, exceeding the program’s typical 20% local match requirement.

Both resolutions were approved unanimously.

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