GEORGETOWN – Williamson County is looking into how to protect its present while preparing for future road growth.
The Commissioners’ Court approved an update to the county’s long-range transportation plan last month that involves Taylor.
The transportation plan to adopt the city’s proposed routing of State Highway 95 forming an outer loop in the southeast quadrant of Taylor.
“What you’ll really see is Samsung Highway goes from Hutto east to 973, crosses over and goes to 95 and then it loops around and ties into 79,” said Robert “Bob” Daigh, the county’s senior director of infrastructure. “Now, what the name of the road will be, I don’t know. Whether people will call it 95 or east of 95, that wouldn’t surprise me.”
Daigh said the plan adjustments come from the city’s proposal and are meant to protect the downtown area.
He believes 95 will become a freeway somewhere down the line. By planning, the county can preserve Taylor’s downtown.
“Realistically, you’re not going to tear down downtown Taylor,” Daigh said. “That’s just totally unrealistic and not something anybody wants to do. The question is if there’s not space downtown to do it, where are you going to do it.”
The long-range transportation plan, which was first adopted by the county in 2009, is an active list that changes to suit the changing road needs to the county.
While the plan does not constitute immediate building the roads, it gives the county the right to build the roadways in the future. Another use for the transportation plan, apart from preservation, is to ensure mobility and safety of county drivers.
“Traditionally transportation plans have only looked out at about 20 years,” Daigh said. “As fast as Williamson County is growing, it is not a far enough look. So, the Court asked to have a broader vision and the transportation plan was born.”
The county allocated $7 million to be used for the long-range transportation plan in the general fund budget and $15 million in the road and bridge fund budget.
“Transportation continues to be one of the most important ways we at the county level can work to improve our residents’ quality of life,” Precinct 4 Commissioner Russ Boles said. “Williamson County has a Long-Range Transportation Plan to accommodate our growth and a plan for maintaining our current roadways. This budget helps us with transportation today and in the future.”
The transportation plan largely consists of controlled access facilities, which essentially means a roadway with no driveways directly accessing its main lane.
