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AUSTIN — The construction launch of long-awaited arterial roads will make life much easier for commuters going to work, school or shopping, and increase the developable potential of the Northeast Austin/Pflugerville area.
On June 2, 9:30 a.m., at the intersection of the future Wells Branch Parkway and Heatherwilde Blvd. crossroads in Northeast Austin, Travis County Commissioners; officials from the cities of Austin and Pflugerville; Northtown M.U.D.; and representatives from the project engineering firm and three developers, will stand side-by-side to celebrate a major milestone in a project that began�in 2001. This partnership was once referred to, during a Commissioners Court session, as “the most complicated public-private arrangement.”
The scope of this critical roadway project involves the new construction of nearly two miles of road extensions to Heatherwilde Boulevard and Wells Branch Parkway. When this project is completed, Heatherwilde will run continuously from Howard Lane to 1825 and Wells Branch Parkway from IH-35 to Dessau. Wells Branch Parkway, under this plan, is intended to be a four-lane divided roadway. Construction is planned for completion in early 2009. Estimated costs for this road-building project are $12 million, with the county and private parties sharing approximately 50/50 in those costs.
Travis County Commissioner Sarah Eckhardt, Precinct 2, came to office in January 2007. “You might say I am standing on the shoulders of giants—those who came before me and put a lot of sweat equity into this project. It does require a tremendous level of cooperation to pull it off. I have to hand it to the private land owners, who stuck with this process to get it done,” said Commissioner Eckhardt.
Phil Spertus, President, New Wells Point Partners, said the project reached this landmark chapter due to the support of the public partners involved. “This ground- breaking event is a tribute to the skills of the Commissioners Court and staff, the Austin City Council and the Mayor of Pflugerville, who all worked together to make it happen. Throughout the whole process, everyone has worked in a truly collaborative spirit and we are happy to see the project underway,” said Spertus.
The Heatherwilde/Wells Branch Parkway project is a collaborative effort among Travis County, the City of Austin, the City of Pflugerville, Northtown M.U.D., New Wells Point Partners, Village at Northtown, The Sealy Companies, HNTB Corporation and Consort, Inc.
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