Kenney Fort Boulevard Extension Planned In Round Rock

ROUND ROCK, TX — Texas transportation officials have scheduled a virtual public hearing next month in connection to plans on extending Kenney Fort Boulevard from Forest Creek Drive south to SH 45.

The Texas Department of Transportation and the City of Round Rock are proposing the extension, offering a draft environmental assessment for public review. A Dec. 2 virtual public hearing is scheduled on the proposed project with an in-person option, officials said in an advisory.

A pre-recorded video presentation will include both audio and visual components, officials said. Additional materials, including a written transcript of the presentation, exhibits and supporting documents such as environmental reports will also be available. Following the virtual public hearing, the presentation will remain available for viewing at the web address indicated above until Friday, Dec. 18, at 11:59 p.m.

As an alternative to accessing virtual public hearing materials online, members of the public may call project staff at (512) 349-0700 during regular office hours or email sbenningfield@cpyi.com to ask questions about the project or access project materials. The public is welcome to ask questions about the project at any time during the development process.

Additionally, the City of Round Rock, in partnership with Williamson County and the Texas Department of Transportation, is providing an in-person option for individuals who would like to participate in-person rather than online. In-person attendees will be able to view the same presentation delivered in the online public hearing which will be playing on a screen, review hard copies of project materials, ask questions of the city of Round Rock staff and/or consultants from a socially distanced approach and leave written comments.

The in-person option will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Round Rock Transportation Department Training Room, 3400 Sunrise Rd. in Round Rock. Attendance at the in-person option will be by appointment only. Individuals wishing to attend the in-person option must call (512) 349-0700 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, to make an appointment.

Given the continued presence of the coronavirus, enhanced safety measures will be applied at the in-person option, including a requirement to wear a face mask, have an appointment and follow social distancing practices. If anyone arrives without an appointment, they may be asked to wait outside to ensure we maintain appropriate occupancy within the hearing room, officials added.

For both the virtual public hearing and in-person option, members of the public may call ‪(512) 815-3240 to provide verbal testimony immediately following the conclusion of the virtual public hearing presentation at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3, through 11:59 pm on Friday, Dec. 18. All verbally provided testimony and timely written comments will be considered by state officials and included as part of the official record. Responses to verbally provided testimony and comments will be prepared. The responses will be included as part of the hearing and project record and made available online at the City of Round Rock website.

The proposed 1.5-mile long Kenney Fort Boulevard Segments 2 and 3 project would be a new roadway beginning at Forest Creek Drive and ending at SH 45 North in Round Rock, officials described. The proposed project would serve as an extension of the existing Kenney Fort Boulevard Segment 1 and would require 35.9 acres of right of way. The roadway would be a limited-access six-lane divided major roadway consisting of three 12-foot travel lanes in each direction. Directions of travel would be separated by a variable-width raised median. A continuous sidewalk and a shared-use path would connect neighborhoods along the route to the existing Brushy Creek Trail System and Old Settler’s Park.

Although additional right of way would be required, no residential or non-residential structures are anticipated to be displaced at this time, officials said. Information concerning services and benefits available to affected property owners and information about the tentative schedule for right-of-way acquisition and construction can be obtained from the Round Rock Transportation Department by calling (512) 218-7044.

Officials noted the proposed project would involve construction in wetlands, and affect a floodplain. The project draft, any maps and drawings showing the project location and design, tentative construction schedules and other information regarding the proposed project are available online at the City of Round Rock website.

Materials also will be available in hard copy form for review at the in-person option.
Written comments from the public regarding the proposed project are requested and may be submitted by mail to CP&Y Attn: Stacey Benningfield, 13809 Research Blvd., Suite 300, Austin, TX 78750. Written comments may also be submitted by email to KenneyFortBlvd@gmail.com. As stated above, members of the public may also call ‪(512) 815-3240 and verbally provide testimony. All formal comments must be received on or before Friday, Dec. 18. Responses to comments received and public testimony provided will be available online at the City of Round Rock website.

Residents with general questions or concerns regarding the proposed project or virtual hearing or in-person option, can contact Stacey Benningfield, Senior Project Manager, at (512) 517-7251 or sbenningfield@cpyi.com.

Special Accommodations

The virtual public hearing and in-person option will be conducted in English. If you need an interpreter or document translator because English is not your primary language or you have difficulty communicating effectively in English, one will be provided to you. If you have a disability and need assistance, special arrangements can be made to accommodate most needs. If you need interpretation or translation services or you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation to attend and participate in the virtual public hearing or in-person option, please contact Stacey Benningfield at (512) 517-7251 no later than 4 p.m. CT, Nov. 27. Be aware that advance notice is required as some services and accommodations may require time for the Texas Department of Transportation to arrange.