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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReporter February 2012© City of Georgetown, 2012 VOL. 10 • NO. 2 A Publication of the City of Georgetown February 2012 The project will include a new ramp for the northbound Lakeway Drive exit that will be about 1,200 feet south of the current 264 exit ramp. The new exit ramp configuration on the east side of I-35 will improve traffic flow for vehicles taking the ramp and turning left onto Austin Avenue. On the west side of I-35, the southbound access road will be straightened at the intersection. The cost of the new bridge is estimat- ed at $10.25 million, including $5.75 Construction has started on a new Lakeway Drive Bridge over Interstate 35 that will replace a functionally obsolete two-lane structure. The Texas Department of Transportation project got underway in December. Georgetown Mayor George Garver says, “This is one of the most impor- tant projects in the improvement of our transportation network. The exist- ing bridge has no pedestrian [walk- ways] and no bike lanes, and the num- ber of accidents is way out of propor- tion to what it should be.” Safety concerns were a primary reason to replace the existing bridge, which is at a skewed angle and has steep inclines that limit sight distances. The narrow bridge was the scene of 28 motor vehicle accidents from June 2009 through April 2011. A recent traffic count tallied 6,500 trips per day across the two-lane bridge. “It will be a great addition to our city to help people move from one side to the other,” says Garver. Lakeway Drive is the only I-35 cross- ing in the 4.6-mile segment between Williams Drive and Texas 195. Last May, the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization board unanimously approved federal funding for the bridge. “I’m very pleased that TXDOT, CAMPO, and the City have worked hard to make this bridge a reality,” says Garver, who is on the 19-member CAMPO board. The new Lakeway Drive Bridge, which will be constructed just south of the current one, will have a total of six lanes, including two through- traffic lanes and a left turn lane in each direction. To accommodate bicycles, the bridge will have 14-foot wide outside lanes and there will be sidewalks on each side for pedestrians. Lakeway Drive Bridge Construction Starts million in federal funding from CAMPO, $2 million from TXDOT for utility relocations, and $2.5 mil- lion from Georgetown Transportation Enhancement Corporation, which is funded through a 0.5 percent sales tax in Georgetown. The construction company for the project is Ballenger Construction, headquartered in Harlingen. Completion is projected for spring 2013. Intersection improvements at FM 971 and NE Inner Loop are set to begin by February. The project will add right and left turn lanes to all corners of the intersection and a continuous travel lane on NE Inner Loop to the driveway for Forbes Middle School and Cooper Elementary School. Sources of funding for the project by the Texas Department of Transportation and City of Georgetown are a $343,000 Congressional earmark federal grant and 2008 City of Georgetown voter- approved road bonds. The project is designed to conform to the ultimate four-lane roadway design for FM 971 as approved by TXDOT and Georgetown voters. Completion of the intersection improvement is projected for September. Intersection improvement FM 971 and NE Inner Loop New bridge and roads Vanessa Conde Customer Service Representative Utility Office Customer Service Employee of the Year Discover the latest news about the city at www.georgetown.org Upcoming Events The Palace Theater I Hate Hamlet, January 13 – February 5 Singin’ In the Rain, February 24 – March 25 Details at GeorgetownPalace.com, or call (512) 869-7469. First Friday,February 3 Downtown live music, shops and restaurants are open late. See the Downtown Georgetown Association website at TheGeorgetownSquare.com. Cupid’s Chase 5k The 17th annual Cupid’s Chase 5k is on Feb.4. Register online at cupid.georgetown.org. The Georgetown Swirl Saturday, March 3 Enjoy wine and food on The Square from 6 – 9 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Georgetown Main Street Program. Details at swirl.georgetown.org The Georgetown City Reporter is a publication of the City of Georgetown PublicCommunications Department, P.O. Box 409, Georgetown, Texas, 78627. For questions or comments, contact KeithHutchinson, public communications director, at (512) 930-3690 or by email at keith.hutchinson@georgetown.org. Love ‘emor Leave ‘em Register now for the 17th annual Cupid’s Chase 5k Run/Walk on Saturday, February 4. This chip- timed run begins at 8:30 a.m. in downtown Georgetown at Seventh and Main streets. Register before January 25 for early-bird prices. Cupid’s Chase is sponsored by Georgetown Parks and Recreation. To register, use the online form at cupid.georgetown.org. For details, contact Erin Ruyle at Erin.Ruyle@georgetown.org or (512) 930-8459. DiFusion Tech 4A Agreement DiFusion Technologies, a medical device company at the Texas Life-sciences Collaboration Center, will be acquiring a key piece of equipment as a result of a performance agreement with the Georgetown Economic Development Corporation. The agreement for an $80,000 mass spectrometer was approved by the city council in December. The 4A corporation agreement sets job creation benchmarks for DiFusion, which will use the spectrometer to conduct highly sensitive chemical analysis in the Jess Henderson Business Analyst Information Technology Employee of the Year Jordan Maddox Principal Planner Planning and Development Supervisor of the Year Mark Miller Transportation Services Manager Transportation Services Manager of the Year Stephanie McNickle Planning Specialist Planning and Development Customer Service Employee of the Year development of orthopedic implants. This acquisition represents the initi- ation of a planned expansion of the TLCC to include additional labora- tory space in the existing TLCC building,” says Russ Peterman, executive director for the center. “The expansion also entails the construction of a new technical building for additional wet lab space, sterile manufacturing space, and nanotechnology clean rooms.” AARP Foundation:Free tax counseling, preparation, and e-filing services offered for low- and middle-income taxpayers, especially those 60 and older. The service is offered in con- junction with the IRS by trained and IRS-certified volunteers. Two locations: Wednesdays, 12 to 4 p.m., February 1 – April 11: Community Resource Center, 805 W. University Avenue Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12 to 4 p.m., February 2 – April 17, Cowan Creek Amenity Center, 1433 Cool Spring Way Questions? Contact taxaide@sharrade.com. Tax Help at the Public Library: Free federal tax help from IRS- trained volunteers will be offered at the Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. Eighth Street, starting Saturday, January 28. Volunteers will offer tax help at these times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 12 to 4 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m News items from across the city Federal Tax Prep Help Cupid’s Chase 5K City ofGeorgetown 2011 Employee Awards