AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin City Council this week approved a construction contract paving the way for mobility and safety improvements for William Cannon Drive between Running Water Drive and McKinney Falls Parkway.
The decision authorizes the City of Austin's Corridor Program Office (CPO) to execute a contract with Posillico Civil Inc. for an amount not to exceed approximately $24.6 million.
The project is considered part of the Corridor Construction Program, primarily funded by the 2016 Mobility Bond. Additional funding is provided by the 2018 and 2020 mobility bonds, a Capital Area Metropolitan Organization (CAMPO) grant, and through partnerships with Austin Water and the Watershed Protection Department.
“I was pleased to approve this construction contract today with my colleagues on the City Council,” said District 2 Austin City Council Member Vanessa Fuentes. “The safety and mobility improvements planned for East William Cannon Drive will benefit everyone who lives, works and travels along the roadway. I’m excited for the transformation these changes will bring to the community.”
The improvements include:
- Additional travel lanes by expanding from two lanes to a four-lane divided roadway
- New signalized intersections at Running Water Drive and Janes Ranch Road
- An upgraded traffic signal at McKinney Falls Parkway
- A new Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) at Springfield Drive
- Shared Use Paths on both sides of the road for people walking and biking
- New bus stops in coordination with Capital Metro
- Intermittent raised medians
- Driveway reconstruction
- A new bridge over Marble Creek
- Pavement overlay
- Landscaping and streetscape improvements
- Drainage improvements
- A noise wall near the Vista Point neighborhood
The Watershed Protection Department will also make improvements to an existing water quality pond while Austin Water will replace and upgrade pipes as part of the process.
"Today’s council action paves the way for us to bring better mobility and safer facilities to citizens in southeast Austin," said Assistant City Manager Gina Fiandaca. "City staff has worked diligently to advance the improvements through design, and we’re looking forward to breaking ground in 2023."
Phased construction of the various improvements is expected to begin spring 2023 with a 2026 completion date.