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Signal at H-E-B, Loop 360: 3 local transportation updates

Here are three transportation updates to know for the Lake Travis-Westlake area this June. 

Hwy. 71 and Uplands Ridge Drive signal 
Project: The new signalized light provides easier access to and from the H-E-B shopping center for those traveling east or west on Hwy. 71 through a protected turn in and out of The Uplands neighborhood. 
Update: The new traffic light was activated in May, according to the city of Bee Cave. 

  • Timeline: completed mid-May 
  • Cost: not available as of press time
  • Funding source: Texas Department of Transportation

Highlands Boulevard intersection improvements
Project: The project will install raised crosswalks on Highlands Boulevard at the intersection of Tavish Trail and the Bee Creek Road roundabout. Additionally, pedestrian hybrid beacons will be updated from post-mounted installations for mast-arm installations along the roadway. 
Update: Lakeway City Council rejected all bids submitted for the project at the May 18 meeting due to bid submission irregularities and moved to re-bid the project through an expedited process to reduce delays. 
  • Timeline: TBD 
  • Cost: $464,886 
  • Funding source: city road tax fund
 
Latest Education News
2026 bond, teacher pay, bus seat belts: Latest Leander ISD updates

Check out the latest updates impacting the Leander ISD community.

LISD approves 2026-27 compensation plan: A review from the Texas Association of School Boards found that LISD salaries remain competitive with surrounding districts, but district officials recommended a 0% general pay increase due to continued budget challenges. However, the approved plan also includes a one-time lump sum retention payment of up to $1,000 for full-time employees and $500 for part-time employees.

Citizens' Facility Advisory Committee works toward potential bond package: The CFAC could form a potential bond package for a November 2026 bond election. Superintendent Chris Clark said that the district now needs to think about bonds differently, focusing on facility modernization, lifecycle replacements and addressing aging infrastructure. 

LISD considers $18 million budget impact for three-point seat belt buses: A senate bill passed during the 2025 Texas Legislative session requires all school districts to equip its bus fleet with three-point seat belts by Sept. 1, 2029. Of LISD's current fleet of 318 buses, 212 are equipped with three-point seat belts.

 

Your Weekend To-Do List

Check out these weekend events across the metro area.

ATX TV Festival

‘Jesus Christ Superstar’

May 28-31, times vary
Austin

May 29-July 5, show times vary
Georgetown

More info

More info

 

Older Adults Resource Fair

ATX Eid Fest ‘26

May 30, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Buda

May 30, 4-11 p.m.
Hutto

More info

More info

 
To submit your own event, click here.

CI Texas
8 of the nation’s fastest-growing cities are in Texas, census data shows

Texas was home to eight of the nation’s fastest-growth municipalities in 2025 as people continue moving to smaller cities in the state’s large metropolitan areas, new U.S. Census Bureau data shows.

The details: Celina, located about an hour north of Dallas, grew faster than any other U.S. city in 2025, according to the census data released May 14. The city grew by 24.6% between July 2024 and July 2025, and 64,427 people called Celina home as of July 1.

Fulshear, a 64,630-person city west of Houston, saw the second-fastest growth in the nation last year, at 21%.

What's happening: Helen You, interim director of the Texas Demographic Center, said the trend of people moving to smaller cities in major metros “is not unique to Texas."

The suburban boom comes amid a slowdown in overall population growth, according to previous Community Impact reporting. While Texas gained more new residents last year than any other U.S. state, growth slowed significantly amid a nationwide reduction in immigration from other countries.

 

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