Williamson County, Texas

The groundbreaking commemorated work to begin the extension of North Mays from Paloma Drive to Oakmont Drive. The project is anticipated to be completed in Spring 2020. The project is funded with county voter approved road bonds and by the City of Round Rock.

The current awarded budget is $10,775,835.75, with the city responsible for 24 percent of the construction costs currently at $2,586,200.50 but not to exceed $3,800,000.

Commissioner Cook lauds projects that improve mobility and traffic safety in Precinct 1 and around the County.

The two road improvement projects were critical to increasing safety near Elsa England Elementary School and Pearson Ranch Middle School.

Neenah Ave. was widened from the existing two-lane roadway to a four-lane roadway from Olive Hill Drive to the end of Neenah Ave. The project was less than one mile in length.

A traffic signal was installed at Neenah Ave. and Pearson Ranch Road.

Construction was completed in 10 months for a cost of $2.5 million.

MHFA can save a life, just like CPR can help save someone who is having a heart attack.

The program offered a 5-step action plan to help someone who might be developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.

The 8-hour training was provided by Integral Care and Bluebonnet Trails Community Services with support from St. David’s Foundation. MHFA was first introduced in the U.S. in 2008 and since then, thousands of people from throughout the county have taken the course.

Role-playing and simulations taught participants, including Commissioner Cook, how to offer initial help in a mental health crisis and connect persons to appropriate professional, peer, social and self-help care.

Participants learned the warning signs, symptoms and risk factors of mental illness and received information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis and substance use disorder. They also learned what to say in these situations that is helpful and appropriate, and what to avoid saying.

Participants were also provided information about additional regional resources, including NAMI Austin, a non-profit organization offering no-cost educational resources, support groups and workshops throughout Central Texas for you or your loved ones affected by mental illness. For more information, visit www.namiaustin.org.

For more information or questions about Mental Health First Aid, please email [email protected] or visit www.integralcare.org/en/mhfa.

Local leaders and elected officials joined TxDOT representatives for the ribbon cutting ceremony of two projects in Williamson County Precinct 1 (in Round Rock):

The I-35 at FM 3406 (Old Settlers Blvd.) bridge reconstruction project and the I-35 from RM 1431 to FM 3406 (southbound), improved entrances and exits to I-35 (which includes a shared-use path for cicyclists and pedestrians).

Commissioner Cook wrote and performed a rap song for the event. (Click on Read More for the lyrics)