la Frontera In the News

Round Rock Leader

February 14, 2002

Texas 45 fronterage roads to open in phases

by Kathryn Culver, Leader Staff

After a year of confusion, frustration and congestion, Round Rock’s most infamous corridor for gridlock, Louis Henna and Farm to Market Road 1325, will soon start to open up, but only after several more months of flashing yellow and safety orange.

The Texas Turnpike Authority announced this week that starting February, traffic will be routed to the three-lane Texas 45 frontage roads. It is the first in a series of three traffic shifts that will continue through March as highway workers put the finishing touches on the project.

The first traffic shift will begin Sunday and continue for two to four weeks. Then in March, a second shift will occur and continue for only one weekend, before a final traffic shift.

The TTA hosted a series of meetings last week to alert the press to the upcoming changes and created a web site, www.SH45info.com, to keep motorists updated on the coming changes and routes. The web site will be available throughout the coming months.

“We’re making an all effort to minimize the disruption,” said Howard Falkenberg, a project consultant for TTA.

The Texas 45 frontage roads in Round Rock constitute three miles of a 16-mile east-west tollway that will connect to Loop 1 in Austin. The total project, costing an estimated $100 million, is expected to bring significant relief to Williamson County roads.

The frontage roads, once opened, are expected to improve mobility and safety in the heavily congested areas around La Frontera Shopping Center on the east side of Interstate 35 and to the west at Dell Computer Corp.’s campus.

The frontage roads in Round Rock were fast-tracked, with right-of-way purchases, utility relocation and road construction occurring simultaneously.

TTA has invested $13.4 million in the three mile stretch of road and both the city and Williamson County have pitched in with land purchases and utility line relocation.

PHASE I
The first traffic switch will occur 2 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 17 with westbound traffic moving on to the frontage roads. However, eastbound traffic will continue using FM 1325. The Parker Drive Crossover will be close. Access from La Frontera will be by way of Williamson County Road 172, La Frontera Boulevard and the turnaround lanes at Interstate 35. This first phase will last approximately two to four weeks.

PHASE II
The second traffic switch is expected to occur in March to accommodate a weekend construction project that will start on Friday night and continue through until the following Monday. Individuals traveling north on FM 1325 will have to detour and access the eastbound SH 45 frontage roads from CR 172.

The section of FM 1325 between CR 172 and La Frontera Boulevard will be closed during this time period, except to businesses and residents located within that area.

Turnaround lanes will be available between the east and westbound frontage roads.

PHASE III
In Phase III, the northbound portion of FM 1325 will reopen and motorists will be able to travel it directly to the new frontage roads.

FINAL
The total project is expected to be completed by the end of spring. But most of the frontage roads will be in use be the end of Phase III.