A new indoor golf simulator is expected to open off Hwy. 79 near the border of Hutto and Round Rock.

The overview: The Back Nine Golf, locally owned by Jesse Rhymes, will offer indoor golf simulators 24/7, allowing golfers to practice their swing or enjoy a casual round at any time and day of the week. The simulators give golfers a chance to virtually play some of the most popular courses in the world, such as Pebble Beach or St. Andrews.

Golfers can bring their own clubs, although most Back Nine locations offer clubs for rent. On average, it takes around 45 minutes to an hour to play 18 holes on a golf simulator. The business offers memberships, but they are not required to play at the new location. Guests can also join a wait list for free demos.

• Opening March 26

Perspire Sauna Studio plans to open its new Hutto location in the Star Ranch area later this week.

The overview: The company offers infrared sauna, red-light therapy, contrast therapy and halotherapy. The sauna’s services are meant to help customers relax, release toxins, burn calories, boost the immune system and more.

The California-based company has locations throughout the country, including multiple within the Austin metro.

• Opening March 20

Check out six upcoming or ongoing transportation projects across the Austin metro.

Upcoming projects

West Rundberg Lane Extension
Project: The project extends West Rundberg Lane in Austin from Burnet Road to Metric Boulevard, including an expansion of the roadway from two lanes to four lanes with a raised median, an 8-foot shared-use path on both sides, and storm sewer, water and wastewater improvements.
Update: The project is currently in the design phase.

• Timeline: TBD
• Cost: $10 million
• Funding source: Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, city of Austin bond

• Timeline: 2023-29 (entire project)
• Cost: $19.9 million-$21.6 million (west), $42.3 million-$45.4 million (east)
• Funding source: 2022 city of Kyle bond

Travis County is one step closer to launching a 10-year plan to expand its parks system.

County staff presented their final draft plan to expand, strengthen and increase access to county parks over the next decade at a Travis County Commissioners Court meeting March 10. The countywide effort comes after voters approved a $276.44 million parks bond proposition in 2023.

The big picture: Overall, the Travis County parks department has developed a list of 35 recommended projects. Some projects may be short-term, completed in three years or less; medium-term, completed in four to six years; or long-term, taking seven to 10 years. Nineteen of these projects are recommended to be completed in the short-term.

The background: Proposition B included more than $200 million in bond funding for parkland acquisition along with funding for new trails and facility additions at the Gilleland Creek Greenway, Southeast Metropolitan Park, Onion Creek Greenway, Bee Creek Sports Complex and Arkansas Bend Park.

The county has been acquiring land to create a 70-mile trail system from Pflugerville to Manchaca.