Round Rock to add roundabout downtown

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) - A major project in downtown Round Rock will transform a busy intersection in old downtown, making it easier for people and cars to get around a busy intersection, but there are mixed feelings about the project.

You can always count on heavy traffic coming off the interstate, and eastbound onto Round Rock Ave.

Too many cars are cutting through old downtown. The solution is to modify the intersection near Round Rock Ave. and Blair Street by adding a roundabout, said city manager Steve Norwood.

"Mays (Street) is kind of a barrier today," Norwood said . "So, by straightening out Main Street, I think it kind of makes it a much more user-friendly downtown for motorists and pedestrians.

The project is just another in a series of multi-million dollar downtown master plans.

At 'Off the Top Salon', which sits right in the heart of future changes, opinions are mixed.

"I think it will be a lot easier and a lot more friendly, for a lot of people," Kelly Hafner said. "You can come and walk around and see the shops."

"It's very hard sometimes to get in and out," said salon regular Marion Tralfton. "Or, if you like to go get the Mexican food, or go to the bakery, cause usually when we're done we go around the area do some shopping and stuff."

"We're not sure if it's going to be good or not for our business," added Cheryl Robichau. "We're hoping that it's going to be very good period, but we're just going to have to wait and see."

Norwood said he understands the concerns but this is just the next step in controlling future growth in the booming community.

"The activity in downtown has increased ten fold," Norwood said. "I think we'll see even more improvements as we continue to make infrastructure."

The city plans to break ground this summer and the project is scheduled for completion by Fall 2014. The city will be taking bids this spring for the road project. The city said  funding will be available from transportation dollars already set aside, and won't affect taxes.