The first effort focusses on Williams Drive westward from I-35. The City of Georgetown and CAMPO are partnering on the Williams Drive Study. The study will develop a plan of action that will incorporate safety, efficient traffic movement, safe accommodations of all modes, and future economic growth of Williams Drive between Austin Avenue and Jim Hogg Road.
The first open house public meeting is Oct 6 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Georgetown Health Foundation Community Rooms, 2423 Williams Drive.
The second effort was described at the last city council workshop and the complete presentation is available at Mobility 35 Williams Drive.
The principle feature is construction of a Diverging Diamond Interchange similar to the one at I-35 and 1431. Here is a engineering drawing:
The expected cost is $55M, but, the funding has not yet been finalized. Planning documents indicate construction bids will be solicited in 2018 or 2019 with construction completed in 2020 or 2021.
More detail can be found at my35.org
A second more bothersome element are the plans to improve traffic flow along 60 to 70 miles of I-35 by constructing toll lanes. This is a really bad idea and is antithetical to Texas values. The new lanes would be paid for by tax dollars, then people would be charged again to use the lanes they had already paid for.
There are other ways to improve traffic flow without charging tolls which just increases the TxDot bureaucracy to collect and manage the tolls.
For example, controlled access on-ramps during high traffic periods are successfully used around the country as are limiting one lane to carpools, busses, and motorcycles.
There are legislators in the Texas legislature that are proposing to eliminate toll roads in Texas, especially those that do not have any bond debt.
Contact your state senator and representative to let them know that we do not need more toll roads in Texas, especially on our interstate highways.
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