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Lewisville has been looking forward to a new entrance into town for years.

In fact, the Williams Road Gateway Project has been in the plans since 2017 and was originally targeted to be completed by the summer of 2020. But then along came delays from the pandemic, receiving no bids from contractors to do the work and an eventual increase in price.

The town’s website has this description of the long-anticipated project: “It consists of transforming the area along Williams Road between U.S. 421 and the Williams Road/Shallowford Road roundabout. The improvements include a sidewalk, bike lane, planted median, wider lanes and beautiful ‘Welcome to Lewisville’ signs.”

The financial details started to line up late in 2022, which included the following:
• Amending the Gateway Project Capital Project Ordinance — $2,364,080
• Amending the Budget Ordinance — Transfer to Gateway Project Capital Projects Fund — $3,300,000
• Resolution for Gateway Project construction contract with Branch Civil Inc. — $2,848,572
• Resolution authorizing construction, engineering and inspection services contract for Gateway Project with Kimley-Horn — $448,514
• Resolution for preliminary design contract amendment for Gateway Project with Kimley-Horn — $21,828

Town Manager James Ayers noted that the local match for Lewisville was $720,000, with an additional $270,865 remaining in the budget that may be used as needed.

As spring arrived, site construction work started in April, with an estimated completion within 300 days.

“The contractor’s work is on schedule at this time,” Ayers said.

Most of the work has been scheduled after the morning rush hour and before the late afternoon rush hour, with Ayers saying that the traffic flow has gone smoothly for the most part.

“Although we experienced a couple of times when traffic backed up beyond what was expected, the contractor worked within NCDOT guidelines to improve their traffic control operations in order to reduce traffic impacts.”

One measure to help residents keep up with workflow was implementing a two-week continuous look ahead online regarding construction schedules.

“We have received positive feedback regarding the two-week look ahead schedule being shared with the community,” Ayers said.

The following are some of the improvements, which are being done in cooperation with the NCDOT, to Williams Road between the roundabout at Concord Church Road and the roundabout at Shallowford Road to create a gateway into the town.
• From Concord Church Road to the U.S. 421 North interchange roundabout, curb and gutter will be added along Williams Road.
• From the U.S. 421 North interchange roundabout to the roundabout at Shallowford Road, Williams Road will be widened to two lanes with curb and gutter, a planted median and bike lanes.
• Sidewalks will be added on both sides, with the western sidewalk connecting the sidewalk on the bridge to the roundabout at Concord Church Road.
• Landscaping will be included north of U.S. 421, including a gateway feature entering Lewisville from the highway.
• The project calls for the stretch of Williams Road — coming from the U.S. 421 North interchange roundabout — to include curb and gutter, sidewalks on both sides and pedestrian lights and landscaping.

Ayers said that the project “is expected to improve the travel experience for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians alike while enhancing the visual experience with landscaping, lighting and signage unique to Lewisville.”

“Although the town is focusing on projects currently in progress, such as this and the Robinhood Road/Lewisville Vienna Road roundabout project, we will be on the lookout for other grant opportunities to fund future transportation improvements.”