WILLIAMSON COUNTY PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

 

NEWS RELEASE

NE INNER LOOP OPENS AUGUST 12

 

            August 12, 2004 (Georgetown, TX) – Georgetown NE Inner Loop officially opens for traffic this afternoon.  The new NE Inner Loop connects FM 971 on the north end to Highway 29 on the south end.  The road is 1.93 miles long and included the creation of a new eight-span, 815-foot long, 40-foot wide concrete bridge spanning the San Gabriel River.  The project took 15 months to complete.

“The City of Georgetown, Georgetown Railroad, Texas Department of Transportation and Williamson County all worked together to complete this long awaited project,” states Williamson County Engineer Joe England.  “This new road connects two major roadways on the east side of Georgetown to provide an alternative to Austin Avenue and to help reduce traffic on Austin Avenue.  It also is a direct route to Forbes Middle School and Cooper Elementary.” 

The construction of NE Inner Loop completes the southern segment of the Georgetown Inner Loop project developed in cooperation with the City of Georgetown to connect US 29 north to IH 35 on the east side of Georgetown.  The project was completed at a cost of approximately $3.1 million.  The road was financed from a $350 million road bond passed by Williamson County voters in 2000.  HNTB is the general engineering consultant for the road bond program.  Steger & Bizzell was the engineer on the project, and Chasco was the contractor.

            The Loop is proposed as a four-lane, divided roadway with shoulders.  Williamson County is acquiring all of the right of way and constructing one-half (two lanes) of the ultimate facility.  The City of Georgetown, upon completion, will annex and maintain the roadway.  In addition, the City is responsible for the construction, as traffic development warrants, of the future two lanes.

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