Cedar Park City Council approved two road resurfacing contracts totaling about $3.6 million at its April 9 meeting.

City engineering staff said contractor Lone Star Paving plans to begin work in the summer, and it is expected to be completed in 60 days.

The details: The road resurfacing is split into two projects. Lone Star Paving was awarded both contracts.

One project covers major roads, including Anderson Mill Road, Park Street and the northbound lanes of Lakeline Boulevard.

The other project covers neighborhood roads, including streets in the Buttercup Creek, Parkway and Parkwest Estates communities, as well as the Ranchettes Units 6 and 6A subdivisions.

Funding the project: The major roads contract is for up to $1.4 million. City staff said the project is funded through the 2022 bond program and 2024 certificate of obligation funds.

Meanwhile, the neighborhood roads contract is for up to $2.2 million. That project is funded by a combination of 2022 bond program money and annual pavement maintenance funds, city staff said.

A new Willie’s Grill & Icehouse is now open in Leander, serving Texas-inspired dishes and refreshing beverages. 

What’s on the menu: Willie’s Grill & Icehouse brings together the best of Texas cuisine, according to its website, including southern cajun dishes, Tex-Mex and burgers made in-house.
The menu includes comfort food like chicken fried steak, onion rings and fried pickles. Willie’s also serves up loaded fries, salads, seafood boils and sandwiches.

Looking for a libation? To beat the Texas heat, patrons can also grab one of the many frozen beverages on the menu, including a beerita or the frozen Jack and Coke. Following the icehouse tradition, Willie’s also has an array of cold beers.

Learn more: The Houston-based restaurant also has locations in Kyle, Pflugerville, College Station and Georgetown.

• 1412 Bright Lane, Leander

Check out the latest upcoming, ongoing or completed transportation projects around the Austin metro.

Ongoing projects
Oak Knoll Flood Risk Reduction
Project: The project will improve the storm drain system in part of the Oak Knoll neighborhood to reduce the risk of flooding. 
Update: According to Austin Capital Delivery Services, crews will next install storm drains along Woodcrest Drive and Columbia Oaks Court, during which time a 24-hour flagger station on Columbia Oaks Drive and J. Gregg Cove will be set up to control traffic.

• Timeline: 2025-27

• Cost: $9 million

• Funding source: city of Austin 2018 bond

Completed projects 
CARTS boosts metro-bound Bastrop County routes to cut traffic, emissions
Bastrop County commuters gained new transit options March 2 with the launch of two regional bus routes culminating in downtown Austin: one connecting Bastrop and Smithville, and the other connecting Georgetown and Round Rock. Riders can park at CARTS Park & Ride locations and take coach buses into Austin, offering an alternative to driving and downtown parking.

Child care scholarships, after-school care and other efforts are underway to grow a voter-approved initiative to provide more affordable child care for low-income families in Travis County.

The big picture: In 2024, voters approved increasing the county's tax rate to generate $75 million for Raising Travis County. So far, the county has awarded more than $28 million to the Workforce Solutions Capital Area nonprofit, local school districts and other community organizations.

An additional $17 million in child care contracts is set to go before the Travis County Commissioner Court for approval.

Current situation: The county has awarded $17.34 million to Workforce Solutions Capital Area to cover 1,000 child care scholarships annually for children up to 3 years old. The organization has also received $4.16 million for quality improvements, including teacher raises or curriculum, Meunier said.

Looking ahead: Travis County is seeking to offer contracted slots by paying child care providers to reserve seats for low-income families. The county also plans to assist providers in offering child care during nontraditional working hours.