TxDOT Proposes Major I-35 Expansion Between Georgetown and Round Rock
A major transformation could be ahead for one of Williamson County’s busiest transportation corridors.
The Texas Department of Transportation is developing plans for safety and mobility improvements along approximately 13 miles of Interstate 35 between State Highway 29 in Georgetown and State Highway 45 North near Round Rock.
The proposal would add new highway capacity, reconfigure ramps, rebuild several bridges and intersections, and create shared-use paths along the corridor. Before the project advances, TxDOT is inviting residents, commuters, property owners and other community members to review the preliminary plans and provide feedback.
An in-person public meeting will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, at the Williamson County Georgetown Annex, located at 100 Wilco Way in Georgetown. A virtual option will also be available, with meeting materials scheduled to be posted online by 4:30 p.m. that day.
What is proposed for I-35 between Georgetown and Round Rock?
Under the current proposal, TxDOT would add two non-tolled high-occupancy vehicle managed lanes in each direction throughout the 13-mile corridor.
The project would also add one general-purpose main lane in each direction between SH 29 and RM 1431.
Other proposed improvements include:
- Relocating or modifying entrance and exit ramps
- Reconstructing several bridges and cross-street intersections
- Adding bypass lanes where needed
- Building shared-use paths throughout the corridor
The project area passes through a rapidly growing portion of Williamson County, connecting Georgetown, the Teravista area, Round Rock and communities near Brushy Creek. A map included in TxDOT’s project fact sheet shows the corridor extending south from SH 29, across RM 1431 and State Highway 79, to SH 45 North.
Although managed lanes are included in the proposal, TxDOT specifies that the HOV lanes would be non-tolled.
Why TxDOT says the improvements are needed
TxDOT describes I-35 as a critical local, regional and national transportation route that is already experiencing significant congestion.
That pressure is expected to grow as more people move to Williamson County. According to the project fact sheet, the county’s population is projected to more than double to approximately 1.6 million residents by 2050.
TxDOT also reports that the crash rate on I-35 between RM 1431 and SH 45 North is substantially higher than the statewide average for urban interstate highways. The proposed improvements are intended to address both safety concerns and growing travel demand.
The project remains in an early development phase
Construction is not about to begin.
The project team is currently preparing the preliminary design and conducting environmental studies. TxDOT’s project-development diagram places the proposal in the schematic design and environmental study phase, which the agency estimates typically takes about three years.
If the project advances, later stages would include final design, right-of-way acquisition and utility adjustments before construction could begin. TxDOT estimates that phase may take four to five years, followed by an estimated three-year construction period.
Those timelines are general planning estimates and may change. Advancement to each phase will depend on the outcome of the previous phase and the availability of funding.
How to participate in the Aug. 13 public meeting
Residents attending the in-person meeting will be able to watch the same presentation provided through the virtual meeting, review hard copies of project maps and materials, speak with TxDOT staff or project consultants, and submit written comments.
In-person public meeting
- Date: Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026
- Time: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
- Location: Williamson County Georgetown Annex
- Address: 100 Wilco Way, Georgetown, TX 78626
The meeting will follow an open-house format, allowing attendees to arrive at any time during the two-hour period.
For those unable to attend, the presentation and supporting materials will be posted on TxDOT’s project webpage by 4:30 p.m. Aug. 13.
The August meeting is the second formal public meeting associated with the project. TxDOT held the first in April 2024 and says community input will continue throughout the development process.
How residents can submit comments
Comments submitted by Friday, Aug. 28, will be included in the official public meeting documentation.
Feedback may be provided:
- In person using a comment form at the Aug. 13 meeting
- Through the project’s online comment form
- By email
- By voicemail at 737-345-2971
- By mail to:
I-35 Georgetown to Round Rock Project
13620 Briarwick Drive, Suite 100
Austin, TX 78729
TxDOT says it will continue accepting community feedback after the formal deadline, although comments received by Aug. 28 will be incorporated into the public meeting record.
Residents may also request future project updates by emailing mobility35@txdot.gov or signing up for Williamson County alerts through the Mobility35 website.
Accessibility and language assistance are available
The public meeting will be conducted in English, but interpretation and document translation services are available for residents whose primary language is not English.
Accommodations may also be arranged for people with disabilities. Requests should be submitted to the TxDOT Austin District project manager at 512-939-3953 no later than 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10.
Advance notice is encouraged because some services may take time to arrange.
A chance to weigh in before plans are finalized
For residents who regularly travel I-35 through Georgetown and Round Rock, the proposal could eventually affect daily commutes, neighborhood access, business visibility, bicycle and pedestrian connections, and the way traffic moves across Williamson County.
The Aug. 13 meeting provides an opportunity to examine the preliminary design while environmental studies are still underway—and before the project reaches final design or construction.
Residents can review the proposed lane additions, ramp changes, bridge work and shared-use paths, ask questions directly of the project team, and formally document concerns or recommendations that TxDOT can consider as the plans develop.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.