Williamson County commissioners voted Aug. 18 to formally support the expansion of I-35 through the county, a project led by the Texas Department of Transportation.

About the project: Commissioners requested that the expansion include a minimum of two additional non-tolled lanes in each direction, two managed lanes in each direction, and collector or distributor roads through Round Rock, according to county documents.

The project will support the region’s population growth, which increased by 23.6% from April 2020 to July 2025, and is projected to reach over a million residents by 2045, documents state.

This population growth is expected to increase average daily traffic in the Austin-area from 244,450 vehicles on I-35 in 2018 to around 367,900 vehicles by 2050, according to county documents.

What else? The deadline to submit formal comments regarding the project is Aug. 28, Precinct 2 commissioner Cynthia Long said. Residents can submit comments via email at [email protected].
 

Birds Barbershop opened its 10th Austin-area location in the Wolf Ranch area in Georgetown in August.

An Austin-owned full-service salon and barbershop, the business provides haircuts, color and grooming services for men, women and children. 

• 1314 W. University Ave., Ste. 105, Georgetown

The University of Texas System Board of Regents approved adding the first phase of the UT Dell Medical Center to UT’s capital improvement program at an Aug. 12 meeting.

The CIP is the university’s approved list of major capital projects. Adding the project to the CIP allows the project to move forward with early design and development preparation work.

The background: The UT Dell Medical Center will be a 27-acre medical complex planned to be equipped with a hospital tower, outpatient facilities, an emergency department and 300-500 patient beds for specialized care, according to documents from the UT Board of Regents.

The details: Phase I of the project is expected to cost up to $1 billion and will be funded from the university’s revenue financing system bonds.

What they're saying: “Today is a very big day,” UT Austin President James Davis said. “[The medical complex] will establish the clinical foundation for a new academic health enterprise. It will advance research, education, health professionals and serve patients and serve Texas for generations to come.”