Georgetown council reviews feasibility study for Berry Creek Trail West Phase 1

Covey Planning Landscape Architecture consultants presented a feasibility study and two refined alignments for the Berry Creek Trail West Phase 1 during a City of Georgetown workshop, focusing debate on where the route should run through existing neighborhoods and how much of the creek corridor can be followed. City and county funding pledged under an interlocal agreement totals $5.8 million; consultants and councilmembers warned that right-of-way acquisition and creek crossings could push estimated construction and professional-services costs well above that budget.

The study area runs roughly between State Highway 195 to the northeast, Interstate 35 to the southeast, Airport Road to the west and the Industrial Park to the north. Consultants Travis Crow and Tyler Richburg said the feasibility work divided the corridor into three segments and scored alternative routes on environmental, infrastructure and regulatory factors. Their objective scoring put routes that used existing right-of-way — notably frontage along 195 — higher because of lower acquisition and construction cost, while routes closer to the creek scored lower because of creek crossings and property impacts.

Why it matters: Council and residents framed the choice as balancing local access and safety versus cost and neighborhood intrusion. A route nearer the creek would provide scenic, off‑street trail experience but likely require more easements and creek crossings; routing closer to 195 or on existing road right-of-way would typically be cheaper and easier to build…