Driving Progress

Traffic management remains a top concern for Round Rock residents, and in response, the City has adopted a multifaceted solution to expand road networks and develop new connections through its Driving Progress program, while also exploring new transit options to ease congestion.

In 2019, Round Rock City Council and staff put in place funding strategies to accelerate transportation improvements that are components of the $1.2 billion Transportation Master Plan approved in October 2017.

• Roadway Impact Fees: The City Council approved Roadway Impact Fees in March 2019, which will be paid by developers to cover some of the costs of expanding our transportation network necessitated by their projects.
• Certificates of Obligation (COs): These are bonds backed by property taxes. In April 2019, the City issued $30 million in certificates of obligation to kick off funding for the program. In April 2020, the City Council approved the second round of $30 million in COs.
• Sales tax revenue: In 1997, Round Rock voters approved an additional half cent to the local sales tax rate to help pay for major transportation improvements. This half-cent, Type B sales tax revenue also funds the City’s economic development efforts.
• State and federal grants: The City receives grant funding like those received through the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO).
• Private sector: Prior to the implementation of Roadway Impact Fees, developers often dedicated right of way and/or funded a portion of construction of roadways and traffic signals to compensate for the demand their projects placed on the transportation network.
• County bonds: Funding for some Round Rock projects comes from the general obligation bonds approved by Williamson County voters in November 2019.