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 but less scenic.

Key facts and numbers presented - Interlocal agreement with Williamson County: $2.9 million committed by the county and $2.9 million committed by the city (total $5.8 million), as stated by project staff. The ILA, the speakers said, obligates the city to cover any overages beyond the county’s pledge. - Consultants reported objective suitability scores on a 0–100 scale for alternative alignments; eastern/right‑of‑way options scored higher (fewer acquisition needs). - Cost estimates discussed in public comment and council remarks ranged from about $5.8 million of pledged funding to consultant estimates for full alignments that individual speakers described as roughly $8.5 million to $10.3 million (those figures were cited by a councilmember as an illustration of potential cost escalation and attributed in the meeting to a councilmember who recently joined the dais). - Historic truss bridge on Airport Road crossing Berry Creek: consultants said a structural evaluation recommended either rebuilding it in place or replacing it; a councilmember estimated rehabbing or replacing the bridge could consume roughly 25% of the trail budget if pursued, but consultants characterized the structure as not currently feasible to repair within the project’s cost constraints.

What was proposed and what staff recommended - Consultants presented Alignments 1A and 1B (amalgams of previously identified routes from the 2022 parks and trails master plan). 1A generally stays on the east side of the creek and then uses sidewalk infill and on‑street striping through developed sections; 1B follows the previously mapped trail and in places would rely on signage rather than continuous sidewalks. Consultants suggested terminating Phase 1 at a utility easement near Shell Spur rather than daylighting the trail all the way into Westside Park because the undeveloped park parcel currently lacks emergency access and monitoring. - Staff said the funding available under the ILA would cover construction and professional services for segments 1 and 2 and that segment 3 (the final connection into Westside Park) should be deferred until Westside Park development and access are better defined.

Council and public reaction - Several councilmembers expressed a preference for minimizing impacts to existing residential backyards and for maximizing use of existing right-of-way where practicable. Multiple councilmembers said they favored Alignments that reduce acquisitions and visible neighborhood intrusion; several named Alignment 1B as their preference because it provides more continuous creek frontage while noting cost and acquisition trade-offs. - Residents and interest groups: Sun City and local cyclists urged the council to prioritize earlier connectivity to Westside Park and to Berry Creek Highlands Road to provide safer alternatives to Highway 195 and Shell Road. Long-time cyclist Sharon Reed urged a faster connection from Westside Park to Berry Creek Highlands and offered to coordinate volunteer work for interim, low-cost trails if needed. - Safety and traffic concerns: councilmembers asked how bicycle traffic would be routed on narrow sections such as Berry Creek Drive and Champions Drive, and discussed traffic calming (striping and signage) as lower-cost measures. Concerns were raised about increased pedestrian and bicycle activity through existing neighborhoods and about adequate sightlines and crossings across Shell Road.

Next steps and direction given - Staff and consultants were directed to use the feedback to refine the final plan and cost estimates and to return with a recommended route and regulatory/ acquisition strategy. Staff said the intent is to advance design for segments 1 and 2 in FY 2026 with construction in FY 2027, using available ILA funds for construction and design and reserving acquisition funding within the overall budget for easements where required.

What the record does not show - The workshop produced no formal council vote or final authorization to award construction contracts. Council provided direction and preferences but did not adopt a binding decision to change the ILA, appropriate additional funds or select a final alignment in the workshop proceedings.

Ending note: The feasibility study frames a clear trade-off for the city — greater creek frontage and off‑street trail quality vs. higher acquisition and crossing costs and impacts to existing yards. Staff recommended focusing available ILA funds on completing segments 1 and 2 within the agreed funding envelope and deferring the connection to Westside Park until emergency access, monitoring and park development are in place.