Seeing construction signs or detours popping up? Several road projects across the Leander and Liberty Hill area are reshaping local traffic patterns while enhancing safety and efficiency for all road users.

Check out these transportation updates from city, county and state transportation sources to plan your route.

Ronald Reagan Boulevard lane widening

• Project: Work is widening 7 miles of roadway on Ronald Reagan Boulevard from FM 3405 to SH 29 with a northbound-only section and a separate two-lane southbound road.

• Update: Construction is currently underway.

• Timeline: August 2024-summer 2027

RM 2243, Hero Way controlled-access highway

• Project: Reconstructing and widening RM 2243 and Hero Way 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: Crews broke ground on the first phase of the project in late January, beginning construction of the first frontage road from 183A Toll to Garey Park.

• Timeline: early 2026-early 2028

Leander ISD officials are putting together the latest budget projections for 2026-27, and the district is estimating between a $6.8 million to $13.7 million shortfall. The projections are down from original estimates of a nearly $19.6 million shortfall.

The overview: According to executive director of business Gina Mitschke, LISD's demographer population and survey analysts is projecting an enrollment of 41,841 students next year, a decrease of 607 students from the current 2025-26 year.

Officials have already outlined $10.8 million worth of expenditure reductions to make, which includes the Faubion Elementary consolidation, staffing ratio adjustments and central office reductions.
Pape said district administration is also exploring a variety of revenue generators.

The budget also includes $1 million in revenue from the special education allotment approved during the last Texas Legislative session. Other budget considerations include a Voter Approval Tax Rate Election.

Something to note: The board could also increase the current budget parameter, or how much the district can spend beyond its revenue, from 1.5% to 3%. 


 

Beginning April 1, Texans can no longer use food stamps to purchase sweetened beverages and candy.

How we got here: During the 2025 legislative session, Texas lawmakers passed Senate Bill 379, which prohibits Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits from being used to purchase candy and sweetened drinks. In August, the federal government approved a waiver allowing Texas to implement the prohibition beginning April 1.

Texas will be the ninth state to prohibit SNAP benefits from being used on sugary items, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

How it works: Under SB 379, Texans will not be allowed to use their SNAP benefits to buy sweetened drinks containing any artificial sweeteners or at least 5 grams of added sugar, according to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. SB 379 also bans the purchase of candy with Lone Star Cards.

It is up to Texas businesses to determine which items are no longer SNAP-eligible, update their store purchase systems and train staff to recognize the newly restricted items, according to the HHSC.

Check out some of the most read stories in the Austin area March 23-26.

1. 5 new and coming soon businesses in downtown Georgetown

2. Beginning March 31, most smokable cannabis products will be illegal in Texas

3. New Willie’s Grill & Icehouse location opening in Leander in late March

4. 44,000-square-foot indoor sports club headed to Leander, Cedar Park

5. Elon Musk announces ‘largest chip manufacturing facility’ Terafab coming to Austin

6. Pflugerville water update: Repairs planned, conservation critical as lake levels recover