Eight transportation projects are reshaping Cedar Park traffic this month:

New Hope Drive expansion: The roadway will grow from four to six lanes with an innovative intersection at 183A Toll. Construction is active between Block House Drive and CR 180 with traffic shifts for left-turn lanes underneath  183A Toll. Expected completion spring 2027. 

183A Toll frontage roads: TxDOT's $139 million project will add two non-tolled lanes each side from Whitestone Boulevard to Avery Ranch Boulevard. Construction is underway on both northbound and southbound frontage roads. Completion is expected by fall 2027.

Toro Grande Boulevard: The project extends from Parmer Lane to New Hope Drive with a bridge over Brushy Creek. Construction is progressing on roadway widening, utilities and drainage. Lane adjustments began April 6 at the RM 1431 intersection. Completion is expected by fall 2027.

Bell District shared-use path: A new 10-foot concrete path will connect 183A Toll to Bell Park. Construction will be completed from South Bell Boulevard to South Mustang Avenue, moving next through South Cougar Avenue. Completion is expected by fall 2026.

Wells Branch Community Church is moving from Austin to Cedar Park, and is set to reopen in August as Breakaway Church.

The grand opening: Breakaway Church will have a grand opening at its permanent location on the first Sunday in August, communications director Megan Dzialo said. 

Breakaway Church will offer two identical services at 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. The church also has a children’s ministry that welcomes infants-5th graders during both services. Middle and high school student groups will meet at 5 p.m.

The background: Wells Branch Community Church has been operating in the Austin-area for 16 years, according to Dzialo, and it has never had a permanent space in the community.

The move comes after a donor provided the church with nearly 4.5 acres of land in Brushy Creek in July 2021, according to previous Community Impact reporting. The church’s new name is reflective of its new location in Cedar Park. 

• 2601 Brushy Creek Road, Cedar Park

Austin leaders are seeking to mandate long-range water use and conservation plans from facilities that use large amounts of water, like data centers. The proposal comes as City Council is expected to consider several new regulations this summer that could restrict or ban hyperscale data center development in Austin.

What they’re saying: “The overall message is that Austin is looking very carefully at water usage, and if you want to use a lot of water you’ll not only have to pay your fair share for water and infrastructure, but you also have to conserve as much as possible," said council member Mike Siegel.

The details: Siegel's resolution approved July 23 would impose new water planning processes for large-volume water users. It also kicks off new public reporting on usage by Austin Water's largest customers. More city policies related to land use, noise regulations and Austin Energy will be considered by council in the near future.

Across Texas, public school districts have approved at least 150 campus closures in the last three years as they grapple with declining enrollment, state accountability issues and hefty budget shortfalls.

What's happening: Among the closures are 56 schools in Community Impact’s coverage areas. Some districts have said that additional closures are not off the table.

Roughly 76,000 fewer students were enrolled in Texas public schools during the 2025-26 school year than the year prior. This marks the first non-pandemic enrollment drop in recorded history, according to Texas Education Agency data collected annually since 1987.

Analysts warn that this year’s enrollment decline is not a one-off, with demographics expert Bob Templeton predicting that enrollment could “drop over 100,000 kids” next year.

What they're saying: “This was a decision that I made, even knowing some of the challenges our students are going to face, because I think the alternative is untenable,” Fort Bend ISD board President Kristin Tassin said as the district voted to close seven elementary schools ahead of the 2026-27 school year.