Cedar Park is pushing ahead on several major transportation projects that will shape how residents move around the city in the coming years. City Council received updates on the work from Randy Leuders, the city’s director of engineering and capital projects, at its Jan. 22 meeting.

The details: At the intersection of New Hope Drive and 183A, traffic control changes are expected as early as March and wrap up by Spring 2027. The intersection is part of a larger, long-term project to widen the roadway, add lanes and reshape traffic patterns.

What else? Work is also progressing on Toro Grande Boulevard. Crews are adding lanes north of Whitestone Boulevard, while south of Whitestone Boulevard, land has been cleared for new roadway that will eventually connect to Parmer Lane. The project is anticipated for completion in Fall 2027.

One more: In addition, construction is underway on a 10-foot-wide shared-use path connecting 183A to Bell Park along Brushy Creek Road. Lane closures are expected through fall 2026.

The Leander ISD board of trustees are taking steps toward repurposing Faubion Elementary, approving Pfluger Architects as the architecture firm to provide design services for the repurposing in a 6-1 vote Jan. 22. 

How we got here: The board voted Dec. 17 to close Faubion in 2026-27 due to the campus' projected low enrollment and LISD's budget shortfall. The school will be consolidated with Westside Elementary and its campus repurposed.

The board did not vote on what Faubion would be repurposed for at the time of the vote, but district officials said they could consider utilizing the campus for New Hope High School's expansion, the Leander Extended Opportunity Center or the Early College High School, in line with LISD's long-range plan.

The update: Per district documents, Pfluger Architects will help establish the most appropriate campus use based on identified needs and provide full design services necessary to support construction.

Looking ahead: As the repurposed campus could be used for secondary education, trustee Sade Fashokun suggested keeping the name Faubion for an early childhood center instead.

The Texas Broadband Development Office awarded the Lower Colorado River Authority a $29 million grant that will expand high-speed internet access and improve flood-monitoring infrastructure throughout Central Texas. 

Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced the award Jan. 20. 

The details: The Texas Broadband Development Office expects the financing to accomplish several goals, including: 

• Extending fiber into underserved and unserved areas 
• Bolstering local economies 
• Improving access to education, health care and emergency service

Check out six upcoming, ongoing or completed transportation projects around the Austin metro, from work along I-35 to Bastrop, Hays and Williamson County projects.

Upcoming projects
FM 812 improvement project
Project: The project will upgrade FM 812 from US 183 in Travis County to Hwy. 21 in Bastrop County to improve safety and mobility and reduce congestion. 
Update: Design plans are expected to be finalized in the spring.

• Timeline: full project completion TBD
• Cost: $145 million
• Funding source: Texas State Highway Fund

• Timeline: 2022-2028
• Cost: $548 million
• Funding source: TxDOT and CAMPO

Learn more about the candidates running for U.S. House of Representatives ahead of the March 3 primary election.

What you need to know: Three candidates filed for the U.S. House of Representatives District 17 Democratic primary. 

What's next?: Early voting will be open Feb. 17-Feb. 27.