Three significant ongoing transportation projects impacting Cedar Park include:

• Cedar Park traffic signal project: The city of Cedar Park is installing five new stoplights at intersections around the city. The project includes signals at Brushy Creek Road and Wilson Ranch Place, Brushy Creek Road and Ranch Trails, New Hope Drive and Arrow Point Drive, Cottonwood Creek Trail and Medical Parkway, and Cypress Creek Road and Cluck Creek Trail.

• New Hope Drive expansion: Traffic changes are underway as the city expands New Hope Drive from four to six lanes and introduces an innovative intersection at 183A Toll.

• Toro Grande Boulevard roadway improvements: Work is underway to improve and extend Toro Grande Boulevard. The north side will receive intersection improvements, turn lanes and pedestrian infrastructure, while the south will enhance connectivity between Whitestone Boulevard, New Hope Drive and Parmer Lane.

A budget update for the 2026-27 financial year shows Round Rock ISD could once again end in a deficit.

The overview: Chief Financial Officer Ludivina Cansino said Oct. 15 the district is now expected to realize a $6.1 million shortfall for the 2026-27 budget year.

Just three months into the fiscal year, which began July 1, the district is already expecting high healthcare costs and incorrectly budgeted payroll to be the main drivers of the shortfall. The district passed a balanced budget with about $486 million of expenditures and revenues in June.

Explained: Cansino said the district will adjust payroll by $16.8 million, accounting for projected payroll and benefit expenses. She said this increase does not come from adding positions, but from accounting for costs that were previously omitted or under budgeted.

Cansino said the district will also need to transfer $5 million from the general fund to its self-funded health insurance.

Travelers this October, especially those for Formula 1, should prepare for long lines at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

The details: Airport officials expect possible record-breaking busy days at the airport Oct. 22 through Oct. 27. The busiest day is anticipated to be Oct. 26, the day after the United States Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on Oct. 25.

Going forward

Airport officials recommend the following tips to travelers:

• Arrive 2.5 hours before departure for domestic flights and 3 hours before departure for international flights

• Allow extra time for checking luggage, returning rental cars or parking before joining the security line

• Use either the upper level for departures or the lower level for arrivals when dropping off passengers

There are four security checkpoints leading to all gates. The first checkpoints open at 3 a.m..

The background: ABIA recorded its busiest month ever for passenger traffic in June, servicing 2,102,853 departing and arriving passengers. The second busiest month was recorded in July, with 2,102,655 departing and arriving passengers, according to previous Community Impact reporting.

Six events are happening in the Austin area from Oct. 23-25. These events include:

• The 34th Annual Clay Festival in New Braunfels on Oct. 24-25, featuring work from over 80 Texas artists.
• The 40th AIA Austin Homes Tour on Oct. 24-25, which is a self-guided tour showcasing the work of nine local architects.
• A Día de los Muertos celebration in downtown Georgetown on Oct. 24, featuring cultural performances, live music and artisan vendors.
• The 6th annual Common Ground Arts Festival in Bee Cave on Oct. 24, hosted by the nonprofit art gallery Contracommon.
• The 43rd annual Viva la Vida Festival & Parade in downtown Austin on Oct. 24, celebrating Día de los Muertos with a Grand Procession, traditional foods and live performances.
• The 21st annual Fall Fest in Bastrop on Oct. 25, a family festival featuring train rides, a petting zoo, a bounce house and a silent auction.